Mission Plan

This past month in primary we have been talking about missionary work. It has always been a topic I personally have put on the back burner. I did not serve a mission formally I guess you would say, and just kept it at a distance I guess. I considered being a good person and a good neighbor good enough to call myself a member missionary. But recently I have been wondering is that enough? If I believe the gospel to be true, why am I not anxiously engaged in sharing it openly with my associates? I suppose it's the fear of imposition or causing offense. I genuinly do not want my neighbors or friends to think I have an alterior motive. But I have seen the hand of the Lord in all things. As I have attended Missionary meeting I have seen how the Lord has put others in my path in more connected ways than one to know it is not just a coincidence. There is enough work sufficent wherever we are if we will see it. I have decided to pray to not be afraid of those missionary opportunites. What is there to lose anyway? I know that the gospel is true, it has brought me happiness and joy, and most of all purpose in life. What a gift to share huh? I am thankful for the Lord's help in all things; I believe He will make up the difference! "Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life." 2 Nephi 31:20

Majestic Creations

In our usual rushing madness, I was hurrying my family into the Suburban when my six year old son stopped dead in his tracks to look at the beautiful site in this picture (taken from our driveway). He said, "Wow, mom. Look at that. It looks like when Heavenly Father came to visit the earth... Do you think that is Him watching over us?" I stopped and my four year old joined us. Time stood completely still as we just enjoyed the majestic creations that our Father in Heaven has given for us. I am grateful to know that this remarkable earth was indeed created by our Father in Heaven. I am grateful for the simple reminder to take the time to give reverence to and enjoy this precious gift that we have. I am also grateful to know that the Heavens are opened; that our Father in Heaven did indeed come to the earth to visit the Prophet Joseph Smith in the spring of 1820. I am grateful to know that I am entitled to receive personal revelation for myself and my family and that our Father in Heaven is watching over us and cares deeply about my trials and successes.

Eternal Life

Yesterday I had a very humbling experience during a church meeting: for what seemed like the millionth time, I took our boysterous 14-month-old little boy into the hall because he was being too wiggly and noisy. We quickly commenced our routine of barrelling down hallways, checking out the drinking fountains, and his favorite, looking out the windows. But, something a little out of the ordinary caught both his and my attention very quickly. There was a boy about ten years of age with his father at the doors to the meetinghouse. This boy was pretty severely handicapped and had become fascinated by going in and out the main doors. A very patient father was doing what I have to do with our little boy: making sure he didn't go to far and trying to keep him as reverent as the circumstances would permit. While my "trial" of missing my meetings to take children into the hallway will certainly be transient, this father's would be significantly extended and much more difficult. How humbled I was to remember the gift of health that has been given to me and my children.

However, upon reflecting about this faithful father and son, I was also reminded of the gift that our Heavenly Father wants to extend to all on the earth - eternal life. We have been promised that through the atonement of Christ our bodies will all be made perfect in the reserrection. This amazing gift is given freely and will be received by all. But, we have the opportunity to gain an even more astounding blessing: eternal life and eternal rest with Jesus Christ and our Father in Heaven if we are faithful to his commandments. I thank Heavenly Father for reminding me of the temporary state of our mortality and that we can all be made perfect through Him and His Son.

"And if you keep my commandments and endure to the end you shall have eternal life, which gift is the greatest of all the gifts of God." Doctrine and Covenants 14:7