In our Relief Society lesson today we discussed Presient Uchtdorf's November conference address "Of Things That Matters Most". As I sat there I pondered what was important to me. I thought of how things have been a little stressful this past week. Reality is hitting hard, with no jobs, no money, and all in a new place. While pondering and listening I thought of Elder Quentin L Cook's address in October 2008 conference.."Hope Ya Know, We Had a Hard Time".
Both of these addresses have touched me and reminded me that I need to get back to the basics of the gospel. Prayer, Scripture study, and Temple attendance.
Prayer: I have been doing alot better in both personal and now with couple prayer both morning and evening. I feel that with my prayers both personal and couple I will become closer to my Father in Heaven and my Savior Jesus Christ. I also feel that I will become closer in my relationship with Nick as we pray together. Last week while visiting with Megan and Jeff, Megan and I had a discussion about marriage relationships. I had told her that I was so grateful to be there to witness not only the birth of Mackenzie but to witness how well her husband treated her and it showed me how much Jeff loves her. We talked about the differences in different marriages. She made the comment that before she goes to bed every night she tells Jeff that she loves him and then forgets all the bad things that happened that day between them. I think that she a very smart women. Who say's you can't learn from your children. I did! Thanks Megan. Okay I got off on a tangent, where I was going with that was that if I can still get down on my knees and pray to my Heavenly Father every night with Nick holding my hand I believe that we will be able to get thru anything together (the 3 of us.).
Scripture Study: I thought about where I was with this basic principle. Last year when my parents left on their mission they gave me a challenge to read the Book of Mormon while they were gone. I took that challenge without giving a second thought. But as I do with alot of things I start and don't finish. I figured I would get through 1Nephi and maybe some of 2Nephi. I started reading and was doing it off and on but then when my relationship started to become serious with Nick we started at the beginning and we completed our reading on February 17th. I can now say that I have read the Book of Mormon completely thru for the first time in my life. Before I read I knew the book was true but now I feel the burning of my testimony of the Book of Mormon. Since that time of finishing I have struggled with my studies and therefore have lost some of time with spirit that I could have had. I set a new goal today in Relief Society and that was to spend at least 15 minutes of my time for personal gospel study every day.
Temple Attendance: As I thought about my temple attendance I thought how much I took having the temple only 5-10 minutes away for granted. Now I live 3-4 hours away and I so want to attend to receive the blessing that I know I receive from attending. I use to attend once a week then I cut down and only went once a month and sometimes is longer in between. I thought about the reasons I stopped attending once a week and found that it was because I was very selfish with my time. I look forward to attending the temple as much as I possible can. I thought about what is keeping me from going right now.. it is finaces that are keeping me away. I decided that I would do everything in my power to gain the employment that will allow me the funds to get to the temple at least once a month if not more. I had not had the opportunity to talk to Nick about this when he informed me that he had signed us up for the Branch Temple trip on April 9th and marked that we would need a ride. Just the thought of being able to go to the temple in a couple of weeks just thrills me. I pray that all of my friends and family that live so close to a temple will take advantage of it and attend regularly.
I love gospel and I love my Heavenly Father. I know that he knows me and of my needs. I am sure that this up coming week will be a blessed one as I look forward to hearing from the General Authorities and our Beloved Prophet Thomas S Monson.
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