Alma 41.
For me, one certain phrase stuck out...
"...whosoever will...MAY walk therein and be saved..." (v. 8)
I just feel like ever since I received a blessing a couple of weeks ago--my mind has been focused on these types of phrases. Just the fact that I have the chance to CHOOSE...and God is willing to grant me blessings...and all I need to do is choose them. Work for them. Live righteously. And every blessing I desire will come to pass. And it can happen THIS SCHOOL YEAR.
That's what the blessing said.
So specific.
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
We love David
Alma 40.
I don't think I have ever had a lengthy conversation with someone about what happens after we die. I am sure I talked about it on my mission, but not to the extent that I really had to dig deep in the scriptures to teach them. And I personally have never really wondered about it...I just know what I have been taught, but it never has been a real intense topic that I have wanted to study.
This weekend, however, I've thought about it ever so much.
My good friend (and 3 yr. high school crush) David Dockendorf, committed suicide this week. It was the biggest shock of my life...and has been kinda hard on me since. I just can't come to grips with the fact that he is gone. I attended the viewing and funeral on Friday and Saturday. It was by far the hardest viewing I've ever been to. I hadn't seen him for about 8 years...I didn't realize that he had so many health problems and struggles. My heart ached when I saw all of the pictures of him and how much his body had changed...how the light in his eyes had gone. His sweet 7 yr old daughter seemed to take on his appearance totally...the Dave I used to know---bright eyes, happy soul.
He was injured at work several years ago and had multiple back surgeries because of it. Was diagnosed with Chrones disease, diabetes, and recently the doctors had found lesions on his brain which were causing severe headaches.
He just couldn't take the pain anymore, and shot himself.
Uhggg.
When I read this chapter, I couldn't help but think of him.
Funerals like that are really hard. You just feel sort of unsure of their standing and where they are. But I loved his father's words at the end of the funeral.
God loves David.
God is the judge of David.
We love David.
This verse hit home and I couldn't help but think of my sweet friend Dave.
v. 23
"The soul shall be restored to the body, and the body to the soul, yea, and every limb and joint shall be restored to its body; ytea, even a hair of the head shall not be lost but all things shall be restored to their proper and perfect frame".
http://www.heraldextra.com/lifestyles/announcements/obituaries/article_12ba9751-12fd-58b7-96b2-77fb508b8b67.html
I don't think I have ever had a lengthy conversation with someone about what happens after we die. I am sure I talked about it on my mission, but not to the extent that I really had to dig deep in the scriptures to teach them. And I personally have never really wondered about it...I just know what I have been taught, but it never has been a real intense topic that I have wanted to study.
This weekend, however, I've thought about it ever so much.
My good friend (and 3 yr. high school crush) David Dockendorf, committed suicide this week. It was the biggest shock of my life...and has been kinda hard on me since. I just can't come to grips with the fact that he is gone. I attended the viewing and funeral on Friday and Saturday. It was by far the hardest viewing I've ever been to. I hadn't seen him for about 8 years...I didn't realize that he had so many health problems and struggles. My heart ached when I saw all of the pictures of him and how much his body had changed...how the light in his eyes had gone. His sweet 7 yr old daughter seemed to take on his appearance totally...the Dave I used to know---bright eyes, happy soul.
He was injured at work several years ago and had multiple back surgeries because of it. Was diagnosed with Chrones disease, diabetes, and recently the doctors had found lesions on his brain which were causing severe headaches.
He just couldn't take the pain anymore, and shot himself.
Uhggg.
When I read this chapter, I couldn't help but think of him.
Funerals like that are really hard. You just feel sort of unsure of their standing and where they are. But I loved his father's words at the end of the funeral.
God loves David.
God is the judge of David.
We love David.
This verse hit home and I couldn't help but think of my sweet friend Dave.
v. 23
"The soul shall be restored to the body, and the body to the soul, yea, and every limb and joint shall be restored to its body; ytea, even a hair of the head shall not be lost but all things shall be restored to their proper and perfect frame".
http://www.heraldextra.com/lifestyles/announcements/obituaries/article_12ba9751-12fd-58b7-96b2-77fb508b8b67.html
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Examples
After listening to some of the conference talks, I got a feel for one of the main messages that I felt was pretty prevalent throughout the talks. That of being an example to your kids...to people around you...
Alma 39
In this chapter, one particular verse, vs. 11 says,
"...for when they saw your conduct they would not believe in my words...".
Little kids pick up on EVERYTHING. I know that as a teacher...they remember every single detail of every story I tell them.
I hope I can have better "conduct"...so that those around me are influenced by the "good" parts of me.
Alma 39
In this chapter, one particular verse, vs. 11 says,
"...for when they saw your conduct they would not believe in my words...".
Little kids pick up on EVERYTHING. I know that as a teacher...they remember every single detail of every story I tell them.
I hope I can have better "conduct"...so that those around me are influenced by the "good" parts of me.
AS much, even SO much
Alma 38:5 is one of my most favorite.
"And now (my daughter Karen), I would that ye should remember that as much as ye shall put your trust in God even so much ye shall be delivered out of your trials, and your troubles, and your afflictions, and ye shall be lifted up at the last day".
I think I like it so much because it's kind of visual for me...it's like a scale...
AS MUCH as you put your trust in God,
even
SO MUCH ye shall be delivered out of your trials.
So as much as I want to trust God, that is how much he is going to bless me. I need to trust more, believe more, and just have the faith to know that HE has a grander plan for me....and I need to trust that.
Just the other day I received a blessing and it said this verse almost to the "T". I left with a feeling in my heart from the blessing that God has ALL of these blessings that I desire just waiting for me. And that AS MUCH as I just trust and be willing to believe, HE WILL give me those blessings that are just waiting for me.
"And now (my daughter Karen), I would that ye should remember that as much as ye shall put your trust in God even so much ye shall be delivered out of your trials, and your troubles, and your afflictions, and ye shall be lifted up at the last day".
I think I like it so much because it's kind of visual for me...it's like a scale...
AS MUCH as you put your trust in God,
even
SO MUCH ye shall be delivered out of your trials.
So as much as I want to trust God, that is how much he is going to bless me. I need to trust more, believe more, and just have the faith to know that HE has a grander plan for me....and I need to trust that.
Just the other day I received a blessing and it said this verse almost to the "T". I left with a feeling in my heart from the blessing that God has ALL of these blessings that I desire just waiting for me. And that AS MUCH as I just trust and be willing to believe, HE WILL give me those blessings that are just waiting for me.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Rescue mission
Alma 36-37
Loved. Loved. Loved these chapters!!
I watched an Oprah episode this week about Ingrid Betancourt, a woman from South America that was running for Office of the President and was kidnapped...for 6 long grueling years. It spoke of the struggles she faced, and of the rescue mission that was put together for her and other prisoners.
http://www.oprah.com/oprahshow/How-Ingrid-Betancourt-Let-Go-of-Her-Fear-Video
Most heart wrenching story I've ever heard. Cannot believe she lived through what she did.
Anyways, I read these chapters after watching that episode. This verse stood out to me...that related to her experience...and I feel relates to me. It doesn't really relate to the questions you asked, Joni, but this was the most touching thing I read, so I thought I would just share my thoughts. I'll focus my thoughts on just ch. 36.
Alma 36: 27
"And I have been supported under trials and troubles of every kind, yea, and in all manner of afflictions; yea, God has delivered me from prison, and from bonds, and from death; yea, and I do put my trust in him, and he will still deliver me".
Ingrid was tortured severely, ignored physically, and lived through some of the most horrific discusting experiences for 6 long grueling years. I want to read her book now after watching that. But she expressed during the episode once that she at one time felt that God had left her. How could she have to go through that...was He really there for her...
Often times I myself feel that He leaves me. I feel that because I'm having to endure a trial that is so hard, that He doesn't care for me...or else why would He make me suffer so?
Like Ingrid said in the show, she had to continue to have faith, even though she felt abandoned. She had to trust that something good would come of it. She said SHE was the one that could change her attitude about her situation...no one else.
I so much learned from that episode and from these scriptures tonight. What an amazing study.
Loved. Loved. Loved these chapters!!
I watched an Oprah episode this week about Ingrid Betancourt, a woman from South America that was running for Office of the President and was kidnapped...for 6 long grueling years. It spoke of the struggles she faced, and of the rescue mission that was put together for her and other prisoners.
http://www.oprah.com/oprahshow/How-Ingrid-Betancourt-Let-Go-of-Her-Fear-Video
Most heart wrenching story I've ever heard. Cannot believe she lived through what she did.
Anyways, I read these chapters after watching that episode. This verse stood out to me...that related to her experience...and I feel relates to me. It doesn't really relate to the questions you asked, Joni, but this was the most touching thing I read, so I thought I would just share my thoughts. I'll focus my thoughts on just ch. 36.
Alma 36: 27
"And I have been supported under trials and troubles of every kind, yea, and in all manner of afflictions; yea, God has delivered me from prison, and from bonds, and from death; yea, and I do put my trust in him, and he will still deliver me".
Ingrid was tortured severely, ignored physically, and lived through some of the most horrific discusting experiences for 6 long grueling years. I want to read her book now after watching that. But she expressed during the episode once that she at one time felt that God had left her. How could she have to go through that...was He really there for her...
Often times I myself feel that He leaves me. I feel that because I'm having to endure a trial that is so hard, that He doesn't care for me...or else why would He make me suffer so?
Like Ingrid said in the show, she had to continue to have faith, even though she felt abandoned. She had to trust that something good would come of it. She said SHE was the one that could change her attitude about her situation...no one else.
I so much learned from that episode and from these scriptures tonight. What an amazing study.
Notice Notes
Help Them on Their Way Home
President Henry B. Eyring
April 2010 Conference
Just looking at the title makes me think of my profession. Even though I don't teach my students the gospel directly, I can indirectly teach them through my works.
LOVED this article!
I am not a mother.
Hope I someday can be...and have always hoped for that.
But I am a teacher. And I teach around 25-30+ students a year. Have done so for 9 years. SO I have had lots 'n lots of kids.
I always hope I am source of comfort and direction for them. Some of them I KNOW have fallen off the path--members or not--and it breaks my heart. I looked at my first year's class picture while my niece told me of everyone's whereabouts. They are all graduated now. Several....have not such a great life story right now. Seriously breaks my heart.
But these quotes stood out.
"I have seen how parents helped a daughter achieve her goals and dreams by noticing and appreciating all the good things she does".
"So, if we are wise, we will encourage, praise, and exemplify everything which invites the companionship of the Holy Ghost. When they share with us what they are doing and feeling, we must ourselves have qualified for the Spirit. Then they will feel in our praise and our smiles the approval of God..."
I've started "Notice Notes" with my students. Each day I put a note on a few students' desks of things I notice about them. Good things. And I try to be really sincere and honest about them.
Hope this helps them a little...and that because I'm trying to seek the Spirit in my life, and trying to have the Holy Ghost with me daily, that possibly they will feel approval of God in those "Notice Notes", ...even if they don't know a "God"...at least they will feel a deep love.
President Henry B. Eyring
April 2010 Conference
Just looking at the title makes me think of my profession. Even though I don't teach my students the gospel directly, I can indirectly teach them through my works.
LOVED this article!
I am not a mother.
Hope I someday can be...and have always hoped for that.
But I am a teacher. And I teach around 25-30+ students a year. Have done so for 9 years. SO I have had lots 'n lots of kids.
I always hope I am source of comfort and direction for them. Some of them I KNOW have fallen off the path--members or not--and it breaks my heart. I looked at my first year's class picture while my niece told me of everyone's whereabouts. They are all graduated now. Several....have not such a great life story right now. Seriously breaks my heart.
But these quotes stood out.
"I have seen how parents helped a daughter achieve her goals and dreams by noticing and appreciating all the good things she does".
"So, if we are wise, we will encourage, praise, and exemplify everything which invites the companionship of the Holy Ghost. When they share with us what they are doing and feeling, we must ourselves have qualified for the Spirit. Then they will feel in our praise and our smiles the approval of God..."
I've started "Notice Notes" with my students. Each day I put a note on a few students' desks of things I notice about them. Good things. And I try to be really sincere and honest about them.
Hope this helps them a little...and that because I'm trying to seek the Spirit in my life, and trying to have the Holy Ghost with me daily, that possibly they will feel approval of God in those "Notice Notes", ...even if they don't know a "God"...at least they will feel a deep love.
Catchin up
Alma 33:21
I love this phrase...
"O my brethren, if ye could be healed by merely casting about your eyes that ye might be healed, would ye not behold quickly, or would ye rather harden your hearts in unbelief, and be slothful, that ye would not cast about your eyes, that ye might perish?"
For me, right now, I know the blessings of a future family that He wants to give me are RIGHT THERE.
All I need to do is have faith and cast my eyes to behold them.
Alma 34: 35
Something really hit home today reading this.
"...if ye have procrastinated the day of your repentance even until death, behold, ye have become subjected to the spirit of the devil, and he doth seal you his; therefore, the Spirit of the Lord hath withdrawn from you, and hath no place in you, and the devil hath all power over you;..."
I think this is why sometimes I don't feel Him near me--He's far away/withdrawn from me because I'm far away from Him.
The best thing I can do to fulfill His plan is to be near to Him so that the devil does not seal me his....
I love this phrase...
"O my brethren, if ye could be healed by merely casting about your eyes that ye might be healed, would ye not behold quickly, or would ye rather harden your hearts in unbelief, and be slothful, that ye would not cast about your eyes, that ye might perish?"
For me, right now, I know the blessings of a future family that He wants to give me are RIGHT THERE.
All I need to do is have faith and cast my eyes to behold them.
Alma 34: 35
Something really hit home today reading this.
"...if ye have procrastinated the day of your repentance even until death, behold, ye have become subjected to the spirit of the devil, and he doth seal you his; therefore, the Spirit of the Lord hath withdrawn from you, and hath no place in you, and the devil hath all power over you;..."
I think this is why sometimes I don't feel Him near me--He's far away/withdrawn from me because I'm far away from Him.
The best thing I can do to fulfill His plan is to be near to Him so that the devil does not seal me his....
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)