Testimony of the Book of Mormon

So I recently finished reading the Book of Mormon.  This time I did something different though...I looked up every single cross reference listed (that means if it said TG Holy Ghost I didn't look that up...that felt like too much to do, but every verse that was mentioned I looked up:).  I don't remember when I started reading it this way, but I know that it took me a very long time to get through it.  However, it was a fun way to read and I did learn things and make new connections!!!:)

I know that the Book of Mormon is amazing...I've read it every day now for over 10 years and I know that it has made me a better person.  I remember in high school when I started reading it every day...the Lord hit me hard with that one...a FHE lesson from my mom, seminary lessons, YM/YW reading challenge, and a story in the Ensign (or maybe the New Era).  And even though my life has changed reading the Book of Mormon every day has not.

I remember telling a Bishop once that I had a testimony of the church (that it was rock solid) and that I knew that it would stay that way as long as I studied the scriptures and prayed every day!!!:)  And I know that my testimony is still strong for doing those things.  I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God!!:)  In the last 10 years I have done some interesting studies of the Book of Mormon and I know that it is a true book; I know that it contains personal revelation and that revelation can change based on my preparedness to receive it!!:)  The gospel really is line upon line!!:)  I am thankful to have the Book of Mormon in my life!

The Easter Egg Hunt

So my city had an Easter Egg Hunt the day before Easter and my husband and I thought it would be fun to take our daughters to it. We split up, my husband took daughter one (and daughter three who stayed in the stroller) to the 3-4 year old group and I took daughter two to the under 2 group. While we waited my husband told daughter one not to push anyone or take candy from anyone else...etc. Then the horn went off...parents swarmed the section that I was in, I tried to encourage my daughter to get some candy off the ground, by the time she finally got it the candy was all gone. We got 3 things. Then I saw a mom walk by with 3/4 of a bucket full of candy; it left me flabbergasted, there is no way that her child picked up all that candy. We were done, so I went to go find my husband. He told me that parents had swarmed this groups too. That really surprised me, because I know that 3-4 year olds can get candy on their own. He just stayed out and watched our daughter. I still feel so frustrated by this experience. What are parents teaching their young children? Greed? that they can't do things on their own? No wonder we have a society that can't do things for themselves. As we were leaving my husband overheard someone say to their daddy, "I wanted to get an egg" and the dad replied, "well, you just have to be quicker and faster." Really? If we taught our kids lasting principles like sharing then maybe there would have been enough eggs for everyone, after all the fields were loaded with candy. My daughters did have fun, but I don't think that we will go back, it wasn't really worth our time, but it definitely made me more motivated to teach my children important values.

Fasting

I have had a testimony of fasting for a long time. It started when I was about 9. My dad was getting out of the Air Force and for some reason I slept over at my Grandma's house. I remember that she suggested that we fast that my dad would be able to get a job, so we did. And within 2 weeks he had a job!!!:) Then when I was in high school my dad lost his job. He had been without a job for several months and so we got together with his brothers and my grandma and had a family fast. I remember when everyone (that lived close by anyway) was at our house and we were ending the fast. The spirit was so strong; and within 2 days my dad had a job!!

So I know first hand that fasting works and that it is powerful!!!:) However, I haven't followed the letter of the law for fasting for over 2 years now, b/c I've been pregnant/nursing. Sometimes it is really hard, but I've decided to adapt the law and apply it in a spiritual way. Sure, I can't physically fast because my body needs those nutrients, but I can fast from treats and other things that I really like. Typically on a Fast Sunday I will eat a yogurt (which I don't really like) or scrambled/fried eggs with only salt and pepper (I really don't like that). I have found that it helps me to spiritually fast. I think though that I have a hard time sharing my testimony when I fast like this, because for some reason I feel like I am not qualified. I need to overcome that.

Fasting does work, even in my silly way. Fasting is a commandment from a Heavenly Father who loves us. When we are trying our best to be obedient then He blesses us. I know that I am blessed for trying to obey the command to fast. And I know the things I fast for are answered in the Lord's way!

Standing Strong

• So one of my goals this year is to share my testimony more. I figured this was one great place to do so. And then conveniently in the Ensign I found a section that encouraged me by giving me topics to share my testimony. I know that I am a little behind, but I am starting with January's Ensign questions:
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    What effect does our standing strong have on others?

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    Can you remember a time when your courage and convictions were tested? How did you respond?

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    What can we do to prepare ourselves to stand strong?

  • Standing strong has a major impact on other people. I believe that even if people don't tell you they are watching you and many people are impressed when you stand strong. I wish that I could've stood strong more times in my life. The courage to stand strong is invaluable.

  • I have had many times in my life when my courage and convictions have been tested. I wish that I could say I've always responded how I know I should, but I haven't. I've never walked out of a movie, and I've watched shows that I knew I should turn off, however, I have turned some of them off. And one year in college I had roommates who liked to watch R rated movies and I refused to watch them with my roommates. In fact I found another group of friends to hang out with and spent a lot of time with them. I try to live as I know I should, but I am definitely not perfect.
  • You would think that preparation to stand strong would be easy...standard Sunday School answers: read scriptures, say your prayers, attend church and the temple, etc. however, I think in order to stand strong it requires more than this. It definitely takes courage; it also takes conviction. You have to be willing to do what is right even when it is popular or you might be made fun of, therefore it also requires humility.
  • I often quote to my girls President Hinckley's quote, "If you don't stand for something, you will fall for anything." And I believe that is true. Having a testimony is so fundamental to the gospel and to life. I know that when I do stand for my convictions that I am blessed for them and that I become stronger.

Valentine's Day

So one of my friends wrote on facebook about overhearing a conversation at the store where basically 2 women decided that the men in their lives were the ones responsible for Valentine's Day and their obligation was 0. So since reading about that I've been thinking a lot about Valentine's Day. I love Valentine's Day and I have for a long time!!!:) Instead of celebrating the romantic side of Valentine's Day yesterday (we decided to postpone that until August, since we have a new little baby:) we celebrated the love side. We made valentine cards with our 3 yr. old daughter and valentine cookies and gave them to our neighbors.

So that got me to thinking...why is Valentine's Day all about romantic love? I have a lot of single friends who celebrate it as SAD (Single's Awareness Day) and that really makes me sad for them. Instead of focusing on romance why can't Valentine's Day be about celebrating love, the people that you love and that love you!!!:) Everyone has someone they love and that loves them...after all we were put into families. I wish that SAD could go away and that instead people could celebrate love and show their love on Valentine's Day (and throughout the rest of the year!!:)