*** June 10, 2004 JOURNAL: Starting to get discouraged
I guess that just means that I'm not working as hard as I could be. I feel like I'm not pushing myself as much as I should. I am probably just thinking too much. I don't know what it is. But today was a really hard day for me. Maybe I'm starting to loose focus.
Let's see ... why am I here. Well, a couple of reasons. First and foremost, I know that this is where the Lord wants me to be, and because I have faith in Him, and his all-knowing plan, this is where I want to be. I know that I am here to learn, to teach and to be molded. I know that in less than a week I will be in Micronesia and will be able to share the love of the Lord with the people there.
I'm sad to see this whole MTC experience come to an end. Elders Duthrie and Wagner just found out their visas didn't get processed yet, so they leave Monday morning on a six am flight. It would have been nice to spend one more preparation day as a district, but it's alright. It's not the purpose of a missionary to hang out with other missionaries on a preparation day. I know the Lord needs them in Boston and that they will do well there.
I still think there's more I should be doing. It will be a matter of prayer and I know the Lord will answer me.
GOOD: Went to the TEC, practiced piano
COMPANION: stayed with me while I practiced piano
GOALS: smile, work harder
15 March 2013
This is just a quickie before getting ready this morning. What a good time to blog. Probably because baby is laying right next to me so he can't complain about the mommy not holding him. This morning I'm going to do some volunteer work at Lloyd's preschool as per his scholarship requirements.
As I was reading the above journal entry, I thought about how often I got discouraged, disappointed and homesick in the mere three weeks I was at the MTC. While I probably really felt that way, and and I know I used it to drive myself to do my best while I was there, I also have to attribute it, at least in part, to exhaustion. We did our best to get eight hours of sleep. But even if we did get the full eight hours of sleep, MTC life is completely energy draining.
A week-in-review:
This week we started walking to school. For good health, and good measure and to do my visiting teaching! One of the ladies I visit teach is a crossing guard for the school. Recently she has stopped coming to church. We used to talk together all the time in church, but I don't know why she stopped coming and I'm not sure the reason really matters to me. Walking in the morning give us a chance to talk, albeit briefly, each morning.
A great quote from the "Daughters in My Kingdom" Book, "Your every need shall be fulfilled, now and in the eternities, every neglect will be erased; every abuse will be corrected. All of this can come to you, and come quickly, when you devote yourself to Relief Society." President Packers. I read that the other day and I though, I want that promised blessing!!!! Luckily he outlines exactly what I need to do to receive that blessing, which is to devote myself to Relief Society. That means exercising charity by loving and accepting folks for who they are. It means doing more than checking off that I did my vising teaching assignment each month and really watching over the sisters I am assigned to. It means supporting my leaders. It means reaching out to those I come in contact with. It means, in my heart and in practice, looking to truly make my hands the Lord's hands.
So we had the great laundry machine fiasco on Tuesday which affected my whole getting my house in order goal for the week. Wednesday night Nakeu mended the drain hose and how we have a working washing machine sans spending $30 on a new drain hose. It's a temporary fix but a good fix. Yesterday I washed the rest of the loads and today I endeavor to finish folding and putting clothes away.
All the babies are awake now and they all need specific attention from me apparently :).
Friday, March 15, 2013
Thursday, March 14, 2013
The baby hates blogging time
***6/9/06 NOTES: Group Meeting on the Book of Mormon by Brother Dollar
A. 2 Nephi 4:15 - upon these I write the things of my soul
B. How did we get the Book of Mormon?
1. Translated by the prophet Joseph Smith. It is convincing evidence that Joseph Smith is a true prophet of God.
2. If we remember how we got the Book of Mormon, we ill know how to use it.
Written by prophets --> abridged by Mormon --> hidden up by Moroni --> preserved by God --> translated by Joseph Smith
C. What is the central message of the Book of Mormon?
1. It is another testament of Jesus Christ
2. Charity is the pure love of Christ. Christ is pure love
3. He will not fail, his love will not fail, his church will not fail.
D. Use the Book of Mormon to teach
1. Teach from it's fullness
2. 1 Nephi 1:20 - the tender mercies of the Lord are upon all that believe
E. How Can You Use the Book of Mormon?
1. 1 Nephi 19:23 - liken all scriptures to ourselves
2. If your investigators never read the Book of Mormon, they'll never know it's true
***6/9/04 STUDY JOURNAL: Mosiah 29
The Lord will answer our prayers if we are humble
***June 9, 2004 JOURNAL
Kind of a somber morning for our district. Kind of an off day, I think. Like we were all in a down mood.
We went to the referral center. It wasn't as good an experience as before. Probably because I wasn't that into it and neither was the rest of the district.
I am a little excited that I get to play piano in the branch on Sunday.
I don't know why I'm feeling down today. Probably because I was telling Sister Hansen (who is assigned to the Hawaii Honolulu Mission) more about home. Maybe I'm getting sick.
GOOD: ran 1/2 mile, walked 1/2 mile with companion
COMPANION: helped me make my bed
GOALS: smile more, have a good day tomorrow, practice piano
14 March 2013 - The Baby Hates Blogging Time
Or Tactac just doesn't like being put down so I can type at the computer. I think, he thinks I should be able to do both: carrying him and typing. Come on Mommy!
When I was reading and typing my above journal entry I noticed how much enthusiasm for the day affects the day. I wasn't in the mood to work that day and so what could have been great experiences at the referral center suffered because of my mood. It's also true about chores. The more I manage to be enthusiastic about the chores I dislike most: washing the dishes and folding clothes, the quicker they get done. It's one of those, you've gotta fake it till you make it moments.
For a couple of weeks I had a story stuck in my head. I was almost (but not entirely) sure it was told by President Henry B. Eyring and I thought it was at the last general conference. It was about President Eyring's daughter who was pregnant and needed help and her visiting teaching companion shows up at her door. But I could not remember anything else about the talk. I read through a number of conference talks by President Eyring and couldn't find it. I watched through talks from last general conference thinking I may have confused speakers. I could not find it. In asking the Lord I felt I should Google it. So I typed in the search bar: "President Eyring talk about daughter." I didn't know how else to search it. The first website listed had the right reference! It was last conference. It was President Eyring. It was a talk given during the Relief Society general broadcast entitled, "The Caregiver." My favorite quote from this talk is the tag line,"You will be strengthened and yet inspired to know the limits and extent of your ability to serve." It really is a useful quote for me. Sometimes I see other sisters in the ward with all their kids, or working and taking care of their family and I think to myself, I can barely handle three kids that barely listen to us as parents, that refuse to sit still in Sacrament meeting and everything else. Reading this talk helped me feel better about what I am trying to do in the home and about our parenting skills. It also reminded me of the talk by President Uchtdorf, "Forget me Not" which helped me stop comparing my weaknesses to the the strength of others. The words of prophets bringing meaning and comfort to my life and the things I see as challenges. It's easy for me to assume that I'm the only one that doesn't have it all together. That I'm the only one that can't keep my house in order. That I'm the only one that dislikes folding clothes that will end up on the floor and out of drawers within hours of all being neatly put away. That I'm the only one that can't make it through the day without occasionally throwing my hands up in the air and wanting to give up on the day. But, when I manage to push all of that clutter and noise out of my mind and focus on doing my best, not compared nor comparable to others, then I feel a greater sense of pride in my day and in my accomplishments. And I know that as long as I am doing my best, the Lord will continue to strengthen me and my family.
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Sometimes things work out different
The Uchdorf's pre-apostleship:
***6/9/04 NOTES: Devotional
1. Sister Uchtdorf
A. Ephesians 2:19 - Fellow citizens with the Saints and house of Israel
B. Sacrifices bring blessings
C. The biggest sacrifice we can make is to give up everything to the Lord.
2. Brother Uchdorf
A. Serve the Lord with all your heart, might, mind and strength.
1) Serve the way you promised to.
2) This is our opportunity to give it our all everyday
B. You are here to find, teach, baptize, and confirm. To help those young members become strong, faithful members
1) You need to influence them for good, to keep the commandments after they are baptized so they never fall away.
2)Prepare them to go to the temple - focus on the temple early - all roads lead to the temple
3) We need to be missionaries with a purpose.
4) They need to be taught by missionaries with strong testimonies and the desire to teach by the spirit
C. Teach and bear testimony espeically of things not found in other churches
1) Modern revelation - The prophet Joseph Smith
2) Book of Mormon - a second witness
3) The God head - three separate beings with one purpose
4) The Plan of Salvation
5) The Word of Wisdom
6) Temple work - through revelation
D. You have to obtain, believe, love, live the doctrine
1) Study, ponder and have questions, so you can find the answers to those questions
2) Make it yours by believing it and living it
3) Let these words sink deep into your heart, so you can teach it from your heart
4) Depend on motivation and focus to study
5) The message of the restoration is a true and valid foundation
6) You need to have the powers of heaven to teach - obedience and personal worthiness requisite
7) Be alert, exercise, shower and pray before study
E. Our purpose is to teach the message of the restored gospel in such a way that both the missionary and the investigator are led by the spirit.
1) If you want to teach from the heart, you must have something in your heart
2) If you want to teach with conviction, you must have conviction
3) If you want to teach with testimony, you must have a testimony
4) Don't overestimate the power of your eloquence and attractiveness!
F. Follow the guidance of the spirit they need to hear the simple gospel truths
*** 6/8/04 PERSONAL STUDY: Alma 17-18
A. Characteristics of a Missionary
1. waxed strong in the knowledge of truth
2. sound understanding of the gospel of Jesus Christ
3. obtained the word of Christ
4. given to much prayer and fasting
5. have the spirit of prophecy, the spirit of revelation
6. they taught with the power and authority of God
B. Alma the Younger and the sons of Mosiah did suffer - God tells them to be patient and they will be blessed
C. Ammon
1. The flocks were scattered and Ammon recovered them (like missionary work)
2. slinging stones? smiting arms? bring it on! whoo-hoo
*** June 8, 2004 JOURNAL: TUESDAY
Well I didn't accomplish much of any goals. It's way past 10:30 pm. Sister Morris and Sister Sitake (different district, same branch) leave tomorrow morning, so we were saying our goodbyes. Hard to think that will be us in a week.
Tonight we did a spotlight on Christ - so good, such strong testimonies. I'm so grateful for my district, they're the best.
13 March 2013
I had most of this typed out yesterday and never got to posting it. Grrr! It was one of those days where I had my day too, well mapped out. One thing went wrong and my day went from what I considered a fully successful day to: if you walked into my house you'd wondered if I did anything at all.
So I had planned on sharing yesterday, and am doing so today, about how I started reading the Relief Society "Daughters in My Kingdom" book on Sunday. I know we received it last year (or maybe earlier o.O) but I never made it past the first chapter. I decided that since I attend Relief Society now it would be a good idea to know the history of Relief Society. In chapter 2, Joseph Smith is quoted from section 93 of the Doctrine and Covenants. While Joseph Smith is counseling specific families, it is good counsel for me too: "First set in order thy house. ..." A light bulb clicked on in my head when I read that. So I set goals for myself to reach this week starting with Monday and cleaning the first floor. Which I did fairly well. It wasn't deep cleaning by any means, but the floors were clear of clutter and swept, the table was clean and most of the dishes were done. Yesterday was my day to focus on laundry. That plan went bust as I discovered a tiny hole in the drain hose of our washer. My yesterday's plans crashed and burned and are still unrecognizable. To add insult to injury we need a specific type of drain hose replacement for our washing machine. So, while we are figuring out the logistics of replacing the drain hose we will temporarily mend the drain hose with plumbers tape.
Was my yesterday successful? I'm not sure. If I think about things that affect my "Celestial Worthiness" the cleanliness of my house plays a lesser role to the time I spent coloring with Pwopwo, walking Lloyd to school, rocking Itasca to sleep, talking on the phone with Nakeu and having dinner (at Denny's because I didn't even get to cooking dinner) with my family. Lesser even to the time spent reading church materials and Sunday lessons. Would it have been nice to be a step closer to getting our house in order? Yes, definitely. But that must be what today is for. ... Unless God has another adventure in store for me ;)
As soon as this is posted today, it's time to put my shoulders to the wheel and push along in setting our house in order.
***6/9/04 NOTES: Devotional
1. Sister Uchtdorf
A. Ephesians 2:19 - Fellow citizens with the Saints and house of Israel
B. Sacrifices bring blessings
C. The biggest sacrifice we can make is to give up everything to the Lord.
2. Brother Uchdorf
A. Serve the Lord with all your heart, might, mind and strength.
1) Serve the way you promised to.
2) This is our opportunity to give it our all everyday
B. You are here to find, teach, baptize, and confirm. To help those young members become strong, faithful members
1) You need to influence them for good, to keep the commandments after they are baptized so they never fall away.
2)Prepare them to go to the temple - focus on the temple early - all roads lead to the temple
3) We need to be missionaries with a purpose.
4) They need to be taught by missionaries with strong testimonies and the desire to teach by the spirit
C. Teach and bear testimony espeically of things not found in other churches
1) Modern revelation - The prophet Joseph Smith
2) Book of Mormon - a second witness
3) The God head - three separate beings with one purpose
4) The Plan of Salvation
5) The Word of Wisdom
6) Temple work - through revelation
D. You have to obtain, believe, love, live the doctrine
1) Study, ponder and have questions, so you can find the answers to those questions
2) Make it yours by believing it and living it
3) Let these words sink deep into your heart, so you can teach it from your heart
4) Depend on motivation and focus to study
5) The message of the restoration is a true and valid foundation
6) You need to have the powers of heaven to teach - obedience and personal worthiness requisite
7) Be alert, exercise, shower and pray before study
E. Our purpose is to teach the message of the restored gospel in such a way that both the missionary and the investigator are led by the spirit.
1) If you want to teach from the heart, you must have something in your heart
2) If you want to teach with conviction, you must have conviction
3) If you want to teach with testimony, you must have a testimony
4) Don't overestimate the power of your eloquence and attractiveness!
F. Follow the guidance of the spirit they need to hear the simple gospel truths
*** 6/8/04 PERSONAL STUDY: Alma 17-18
A. Characteristics of a Missionary
1. waxed strong in the knowledge of truth
2. sound understanding of the gospel of Jesus Christ
3. obtained the word of Christ
4. given to much prayer and fasting
5. have the spirit of prophecy, the spirit of revelation
6. they taught with the power and authority of God
B. Alma the Younger and the sons of Mosiah did suffer - God tells them to be patient and they will be blessed
C. Ammon
1. The flocks were scattered and Ammon recovered them (like missionary work)
2. slinging stones? smiting arms? bring it on! whoo-hoo
*** June 8, 2004 JOURNAL: TUESDAY
Well I didn't accomplish much of any goals. It's way past 10:30 pm. Sister Morris and Sister Sitake (different district, same branch) leave tomorrow morning, so we were saying our goodbyes. Hard to think that will be us in a week.
Tonight we did a spotlight on Christ - so good, such strong testimonies. I'm so grateful for my district, they're the best.
13 March 2013
I had most of this typed out yesterday and never got to posting it. Grrr! It was one of those days where I had my day too, well mapped out. One thing went wrong and my day went from what I considered a fully successful day to: if you walked into my house you'd wondered if I did anything at all.
So I had planned on sharing yesterday, and am doing so today, about how I started reading the Relief Society "Daughters in My Kingdom" book on Sunday. I know we received it last year (or maybe earlier o.O) but I never made it past the first chapter. I decided that since I attend Relief Society now it would be a good idea to know the history of Relief Society. In chapter 2, Joseph Smith is quoted from section 93 of the Doctrine and Covenants. While Joseph Smith is counseling specific families, it is good counsel for me too: "First set in order thy house. ..." A light bulb clicked on in my head when I read that. So I set goals for myself to reach this week starting with Monday and cleaning the first floor. Which I did fairly well. It wasn't deep cleaning by any means, but the floors were clear of clutter and swept, the table was clean and most of the dishes were done. Yesterday was my day to focus on laundry. That plan went bust as I discovered a tiny hole in the drain hose of our washer. My yesterday's plans crashed and burned and are still unrecognizable. To add insult to injury we need a specific type of drain hose replacement for our washing machine. So, while we are figuring out the logistics of replacing the drain hose we will temporarily mend the drain hose with plumbers tape.
Was my yesterday successful? I'm not sure. If I think about things that affect my "Celestial Worthiness" the cleanliness of my house plays a lesser role to the time I spent coloring with Pwopwo, walking Lloyd to school, rocking Itasca to sleep, talking on the phone with Nakeu and having dinner (at Denny's because I didn't even get to cooking dinner) with my family. Lesser even to the time spent reading church materials and Sunday lessons. Would it have been nice to be a step closer to getting our house in order? Yes, definitely. But that must be what today is for. ... Unless God has another adventure in store for me ;)
As soon as this is posted today, it's time to put my shoulders to the wheel and push along in setting our house in order.
Monday, March 11, 2013
Bringing the Past Into the Present
Back at it. Trying to decide whether it's easier to type with one hand, or the baby in the crook of my arm ...
While at the MTC we one of the elder's in our district joked about going home and Sis. King decided we needed to watch a talk by Elder Jeffery R. Holland entitled, "Don't You Dare Go Home!"
***Elder Jeffery R. Holland: Don't You Dare Go Home
A. Don't miss a day, don't miss an hour
B. Don't live with regret
C. Serve for all 18/24 months
D. Every good blessing I have, is because I have gone on a mission
E. Savor, embrace and cherish every minute of it - it will never come again
F. Enhance, magnify, glorify and underscore yourself
G. Plan now for the stories you will tell your children
H. We can't guarantee heroic results, but every one can pledge heroic effort
I. We do our missionaries a great disservice if we expect anything less than their best, we can't expect more than your best effort
J. Obey mission rules, obedience is the first law of missionary work
K. Doctrine and Covenants 130:20-21 - the promise is in the obedience
L. Be bigger and better and bolder than you've ever been
M. Don't miss the chance to gain these blessings
N. It is His work and His glory done His way
O. It is the hardest work I've ever done
P. ADVICE
1. Teach the atonement of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Saviour of the world
2. We want them to have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, repent, then be baptized for the remission of sins
3. Do not take the simple doctrine for granted - We should talk more about the basic saving ordinances
4. Why isn't it easier to get baptisms? - missions have to be hard
- salvation is not a cheap experience - it wasn't meant to be easy
- If I'm going to be his missionary, how dare I ask not to get close to the anguish he felt
- Be disciples of him who did atone
- Christ's only imperfections are the one's he choose to keep, the wounds in his hands, feet and side
Q. Serve suffering (allowing) the will of the Lord from the beginning.
***June 7, 2004 JOURNAL: The Temple
I'm so glad we got to go tot he temple this morning. I felt so much better. I really missed not being able to go the the temple for the past two weeks. I'm grateful that Greg took me along with him to the temple for that month leading up leaving for the MTC. I've come to be entirely grateful for the temple. A great work goes on in the temple and I felt such a calming peace. It is truly the house of God. Overall it was a very, very good morning.
GOOD: went to the temple, did laundry
COMPANION: understanding, caring
GOALS: 4th discussion simple summary, work harder, have fun, teach 3rd discussion, lights out at 10:30pm
11 March 2013
Two months later and here I am again.
For historical purposes:
At the end of January we celebrated Alessandra's birthday. We had a great time with our family at Shakey's Pizza. It was, of course, Minnie Mouse themed. We hoped she felt special and especially loved for her birthday.
At the beginning of February, on the evening of the 5th, Itasca was born. We love him. More will be shared about his birth story and first month of life in coming blogs.
Yesterday was a great day to be at church. We were under flash flood advisory and it seemed like Heavenly Father wanted us to work to get to the goodness. Brother Patrick and Sister Lori Soma spoke in sacrament meeting on the topic of repentance. Sister Soma a shared personal story about how she stole a piece of candy and her older brother made her apology and paid her debt to the store owner. She was five-years-old when she first, truly learned the principle of repentance and about the atonement of Jesus Christ.
Lloyd shared a talk in primary about Jesus Christ is my Saviour. He talked about Enos' wrestle with the Lord. How Christ's atonement allowed for Enos' forgiveness of sins. And because Christ's atonement covered Enos' repentance, we can repent and be forgiven as well.
Nake'u and I were able to catch part of the Sunday School lesson after Lloyd's talk. We learned that the core of pride is enmity. Separating yourself from God, from those around you, from your family. etc. We are constantly reminded of the need for humility because we don't all tend toward humility. Our need for money and "worldly stuff" becomes pride when our focus changes from serving others, to uplifting ourselves in the eyes of others. Daily and constant prayer can help to keep our focus on God and humility and away from pride.
In Relief Society Sister Ilona Kaonohi taught "The Grand Destiny of the Faithful" from the Teachings of the Prophet Lorenzo Snow. She shared about how her son Jared is training and competing in track and field. In order to qualify for states in shot put he needs to throw the ball 45 feet. However, he keeps landing short of the 40 foot mark. She constantly tells Jared that he is doing all he can to train, focus and get proper form. That he needs to keep competing without giving up and the time will come when he will be able to throw the ball far enough. Sister Kaonohi also shared a Mormon Message by Elder Holland, "Good Things to Come." I liked that Elder Holland reflected on advice he would give to his younger self: "Don't you quit.... You keep trying. ... Some blessings come soon, some come late, and some don't come until heaven. But for those who embrace the gospel of Jesus Christ, they come. It will be alright in the end. Trust God and believe in good things to come." Sister Kaonohi encouraged us to read scriptures daily, because the scriptures will nourish our souls with the hope we need to get from day to day, until that great day when the work is finished and the Lord stands with open arms to greet his good and faithful servants.
While at the MTC we one of the elder's in our district joked about going home and Sis. King decided we needed to watch a talk by Elder Jeffery R. Holland entitled, "Don't You Dare Go Home!"
***Elder Jeffery R. Holland: Don't You Dare Go Home
A. Don't miss a day, don't miss an hour
B. Don't live with regret
C. Serve for all 18/24 months
D. Every good blessing I have, is because I have gone on a mission
E. Savor, embrace and cherish every minute of it - it will never come again
F. Enhance, magnify, glorify and underscore yourself
G. Plan now for the stories you will tell your children
H. We can't guarantee heroic results, but every one can pledge heroic effort
I. We do our missionaries a great disservice if we expect anything less than their best, we can't expect more than your best effort
J. Obey mission rules, obedience is the first law of missionary work
K. Doctrine and Covenants 130:20-21 - the promise is in the obedience
L. Be bigger and better and bolder than you've ever been
M. Don't miss the chance to gain these blessings
N. It is His work and His glory done His way
O. It is the hardest work I've ever done
P. ADVICE
1. Teach the atonement of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Saviour of the world
2. We want them to have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, repent, then be baptized for the remission of sins
3. Do not take the simple doctrine for granted - We should talk more about the basic saving ordinances
4. Why isn't it easier to get baptisms? - missions have to be hard
- salvation is not a cheap experience - it wasn't meant to be easy
- If I'm going to be his missionary, how dare I ask not to get close to the anguish he felt
- Be disciples of him who did atone
- Christ's only imperfections are the one's he choose to keep, the wounds in his hands, feet and side
Q. Serve suffering (allowing) the will of the Lord from the beginning.
***June 7, 2004 JOURNAL: The Temple
I'm so glad we got to go tot he temple this morning. I felt so much better. I really missed not being able to go the the temple for the past two weeks. I'm grateful that Greg took me along with him to the temple for that month leading up leaving for the MTC. I've come to be entirely grateful for the temple. A great work goes on in the temple and I felt such a calming peace. It is truly the house of God. Overall it was a very, very good morning.
GOOD: went to the temple, did laundry
COMPANION: understanding, caring
GOALS: 4th discussion simple summary, work harder, have fun, teach 3rd discussion, lights out at 10:30pm
11 March 2013
Two months later and here I am again.
For historical purposes:
At the end of January we celebrated Alessandra's birthday. We had a great time with our family at Shakey's Pizza. It was, of course, Minnie Mouse themed. We hoped she felt special and especially loved for her birthday.
At the beginning of February, on the evening of the 5th, Itasca was born. We love him. More will be shared about his birth story and first month of life in coming blogs.
Yesterday was a great day to be at church. We were under flash flood advisory and it seemed like Heavenly Father wanted us to work to get to the goodness. Brother Patrick and Sister Lori Soma spoke in sacrament meeting on the topic of repentance. Sister Soma a shared personal story about how she stole a piece of candy and her older brother made her apology and paid her debt to the store owner. She was five-years-old when she first, truly learned the principle of repentance and about the atonement of Jesus Christ.
Lloyd shared a talk in primary about Jesus Christ is my Saviour. He talked about Enos' wrestle with the Lord. How Christ's atonement allowed for Enos' forgiveness of sins. And because Christ's atonement covered Enos' repentance, we can repent and be forgiven as well.
Nake'u and I were able to catch part of the Sunday School lesson after Lloyd's talk. We learned that the core of pride is enmity. Separating yourself from God, from those around you, from your family. etc. We are constantly reminded of the need for humility because we don't all tend toward humility. Our need for money and "worldly stuff" becomes pride when our focus changes from serving others, to uplifting ourselves in the eyes of others. Daily and constant prayer can help to keep our focus on God and humility and away from pride.
In Relief Society Sister Ilona Kaonohi taught "The Grand Destiny of the Faithful" from the Teachings of the Prophet Lorenzo Snow. She shared about how her son Jared is training and competing in track and field. In order to qualify for states in shot put he needs to throw the ball 45 feet. However, he keeps landing short of the 40 foot mark. She constantly tells Jared that he is doing all he can to train, focus and get proper form. That he needs to keep competing without giving up and the time will come when he will be able to throw the ball far enough. Sister Kaonohi also shared a Mormon Message by Elder Holland, "Good Things to Come." I liked that Elder Holland reflected on advice he would give to his younger self: "Don't you quit.... You keep trying. ... Some blessings come soon, some come late, and some don't come until heaven. But for those who embrace the gospel of Jesus Christ, they come. It will be alright in the end. Trust God and believe in good things to come." Sister Kaonohi encouraged us to read scriptures daily, because the scriptures will nourish our souls with the hope we need to get from day to day, until that great day when the work is finished and the Lord stands with open arms to greet his good and faithful servants.
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