It is time to compose another blog. This week has gone by so incredibly fast I can hardly believe it. I was the lucky, or unlucky, recipient of a cold this week. It started Tuesday evening and just got worse as the week went on. Each day I was in the temple I would tell myself, "If I can I will leave and come home". Well, that early departure never came. Tuesday we were asked to come in early because of so many weddings that day. We are sometimes in charge of being their escort as they come to the temple, dress for their sealing, get them where they need to be in a timely manner and then take them back to help with wedding dresses etc. That assignment along with any training that needs to be done on those days really keeps me hopping. And that is why the time goes so fast. Each day this week, that is how it went. On Friday, Larry went to Kanehoe to get tires and an alignment on the car and I stayed home because I felt so lousy. By time to go to our temple shift, I felt somewhat better. It brought me back to my days of teaching when it was just easier to go to work than to have to find work and activities that a substitute could carry out. Here, there is no substitute so I have to go if at all possible. Today I am feeling SO much better. Still have a cough and some congestion but at least my energy level is getting better.
This week as I looked for things to write about I went to the Ensign. I found a few things that are important enough to me to want to record them for my future reading of this blog--but before I do that, a little from our Relief Society Lesson today.
Sister Maeta, a member of the presidency, gave the lesson on Daniel 3. This is the story of King Nebuchadnezzar and his golden image that all were supposed to lay down and worship. Meshach, Shadrach and Abed-nego refused and said they would take any punishment because of their faith in the Lord. "If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace and he will deliver us out of thine hand. But if not, we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up." Then I read a talk given in General Conference April 2004 entitled "But If Not..." Elder Simmons said Faith is total trust in Him (God). Faith is believing that although we do not understand all things, He does. Faith is knowing that although our power is limited, His is not. Faith in Jesus Christ consists of complete reliance on Him. And later in the talk he said, "So there you have it--it's a test. The world is a testing place for mortal men and women. When we understand that it's all a test, administered by our Heavenly Father, who wants us to trust in Him and to allow Him to help us, we can then see everything more clearly." I loved this next quote. "The Lord has given us agency, the right and the responsibility to decide. He tests us by allowing us to be challenged. He assures us that He will not suffer us to be tempted beyon our ability to withstand. But we must understand that great challenges make great men. We don't seek tribulation, but if we respond in faith, the Lord strengthens us. The But if nots can become remarkable blessings." One of the closing paragraphs to this talk is this, "Our God will deliver us from ridicule and persecution, but if not...Our God will deliver us from sickness and disease, but if not... He will deliver us from loneliness, depression or fear, but if not...Our God will deliver us from threats, accusations, and insecurity, but if not... He will deliver us from death or impairment of loved ones, but if not,...we will trust in the Lord." Oh how many times I have had to rely on that trust, and still do need to rely on it with the challenges that come into my life and the lives of my family daily. So grateful for the Atonement of Christ in my life and being able to draw on that in times of need. After all I can do, it is by the grace of God we will be saved.
One of the testimonies borne today was from a father whose daughter is undergoing chemo for cancer and he said he told his family that they need to find what they are to take away or learn from this trial in the family. I have asked myself that in many instances in my life. What am I to learn from this experience. As I reflect now, the things I have learned from trials are much different than I had expected to learn. Trials bring families closer together because of our belief systems. I thought that fit right in with the talk "But If Not..."
Now, back to the Ensign article that I wanted to end with. One of the activities that was suggested to parents with families for a Sunday after church was to make a list of blessings. I know that my list would and will have to be an ongoing list because I find new things each day to be thankful for but here is a start.
I have five terrific children who are supportive in all that I do. I am so blessed to have them and their spouses in my life. I am truly blessed to be grandma to 15 wonderful, smart, adorable grandchildren- one of them spending quality time with Grandpa Bruce.
I have been blessed with wonderful parents who taught me so much good in my life and were great examples to me. They worked hard throughout their lives and instilled that desire in me and I am so grateful for it.
I am blessed to have the knowledge of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in my life and a guide as to how to live my life.
I am blessed to be of service to others daily no matter where I am at.
I am blessed to have a wonderful eternal companion waiting for me on the other side of the veil.
I am blessed to have been able to experience a second chance at happiness in this life with my marriage to Larry.
I am blessed to be in a beautiful part of the country right now serving in the temple.
I am blessed to have a beautiful home and live in a beautiful area in Pleasant View, Utah.
I am truly blessed to have great friends from so many places--but especially the Reeds and the Fishers.
I have been blessed with good health throughout my life with very few lasting problems.
I have been blessed with wonderful extended families whom I have learned so much from over the years. I only hope I can be that example in the lives of others.
I think I have written enough for tonight. To Be Continued........
No comments:
Post a Comment