Just For You! - March 29, 2014

Conference has something specifically for YOU! Did you know that? I know that as these inspired men and women prepare their messages, they receive revelation as to what YOU need! If we really listen, we will learn it!

I know because I have tried it. I have prayed before General Conference, and I have asked Heavenly Father something that I wanted to know, and He answered me through the messages of the General Authorities that spoke. They said something that was specifically for ME. And you can do it too. Take advantage of the opportunity to receive personal revelation on the 5 and the 6 of April as you listen to these inspired messages!

Lessons from the Lost Wallet: Stretch forth your hand

Last but not least, I learned...

4. the real meaning of sacrifice. The night after I found my wallet, I couldn't help but relate to the prophet, Abraham. After his wife Sarah miraculously gave birth to Isaac in Abraham's old age, The Lord commanded him to give Isaac as an offering to him. When I lost my wallet, it was the Lord's way of telling me to give up something that I truly loved. Not because it was bad, but just because he asked. However, I didn't do so right away. I don't know exactly what was going through Abraham's head as he departed from the other men they had been traveling with, to take his son up to "go yonder and worship," knowing that his real intent was to give up his son as a sacrifice and he REALLY didn't know why... But, I know what was going through mine, and perhaps it was similar. The whole time I prayed and asked for it to be over, and asked that I didn't have to give up my treasure, or my ability to drive. Finally Abraham and Isaac reached the top of the mountain, Isaac was tied and on the alter, and Abraham "stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son." and I walked to the right hand side of the car and said, "today I will be a passenger... and tomorrow, and the next day... Perhaps even until the end of my
mission. And that is okay."
And I went happily about the work, without my lack of driving privileges at the back of my mind. Sometimes, a test is just a test. An angel came to Abraham and said, "lay not thy hand upon the lad." That was all the Lord needed. He wanted to know how willing Abraham was to follow his commandments, even when he wasn't sure exactly why they were given. He said to Abraham, "I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me."

I know that our Heavenly Father has a plan for us. I know that the majority of this plan, we will never understand. Much of the plan requires us to give up things we consider valuable in order to receive eternal blessings. Remember that if you want the best out of life, "trust in the Lord, and lean not unto thine own understanding!" (Proverbs 3:5)

Ants in Your Pants - March 3, 2014

I have been thinking about lately has been communication, and I'm not just talking about letters and emails I love receiving. I'm talking about talking, and being honest. Do you realize how important it is to tell others what you are feeling? I felt that communication was important before my mission, but since my first transfer, that has been emphasized like nothing else.
Have you ever had ants in your pants? I have. I was once taking advantage of the short summer months with my friend (Now Sister) Rachel Thompson. We were taking pictures of flowers on our walk around the beautiful lakes in Lacombe. As I sat close to a flower, taking a picture of the shrubbery, I felt a tiny pinch. And then another. And another.
I had ants in my pants.
I didn't know that actually happened! It was terrible! I was so uncomfortable! I told her we needed to go home, because I had ants in my pants. So I dropped her off at her house and started driving home in my manual transmission car. I was VERY uncomfortable, and suffering from bugs biting my rear end. Consequently, I wasn't properly using my clutch foot, or my foot for the gas and the break. I went around a corner with a man behind me and I was starting and stopping like mad. The man driving behind me had a choice. He could be angry, or he could assume that maybe I was a nice person, perhaps even a professional driver, and was just having a bad day. How was he to know what I had ants in my pants?
Later, in another instance, I was talking to one of my friends as we drove. I was dealing with a lot of really difficult emotions, and I was having a hard time doing so. I made an off-hand thoughtless comment to him and silence followed for a couple of moments. I would not have known how much I hurt him unless he asked me a question that I'm sure took some courage to ask. He asked me in a quiet, calm voice, "did you really mean that?"
To this day I consider that very profound. Being offended is selfish. When something someone does or says to you makes you feel hurt, do you ask yourself that? I believe that it is VERY rare that people actually say or do things with malicious intents. We all have something going on in our lives, our own "ants in our pants." It is important to remember this. When feelings of hurt arise, I want you to consider the intent behind others actions. And this is where communication comes in! "Did you really mean that," was the perfect thing to say in the situation. My friend could have easily been offended and not talked to me for the rest of the ride, but instead he gave me a chance to realize what I had said and apologize for it. I hadn't realized before how much it would have hurt him. My intents were not in any way harmful.
These negative feelings can grow inside and become hatred and anger. Please don't let this happen. Ask others about how they feel, and just as importantly, make it known to others how you feel! It can be simple, small statements that make the difference.