Sunday Reflection

It's been over a year since I have posted on this site.  I am just sitting here thinking how crazy my life has been and how different it is from what I ever had planned.  It is just a testimony to me that God is in charge of my life.  It is a testimony to me that I need to try my best to align my will with His.  I know that if I do His will that He will take care of me and my family.  I am reminded of the scripture in 3rd Nephi 13:28- 33 

" 28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin;

 29 And yet I say unto you, that even Solomon, in all his glory, was not arrayed like one of these.

 30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, even so will he clothe you, if ye are not of little faith.

 31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?

 32 For your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.

 33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you."

Heavenly Father knows me.  He knows my needs.  In all of my trials He has supported me and cared for me in innumerable ways.  He has blesssed me  and my family with things that we didn't even know we needed.   I am truly grateful.  

We will be having our 3rd child in just a few weeks.  Even though I feel the ill effects of the pregnancy and I know it's real...I am still kind of in shock that we are having another baby and I'm still trying to wrap my head around it.  I have been nervous about how much our lives are going to change....again.  I'm nervous about trying to care for everyone and keep myself healthy emotionally, physically, and spiritually.  Amidst these anxieties, the Holy Ghost reminds me of this scripture almost daily.  He reminds me how much Father in Heaven has taken care of me and carried me through my trials.  I have been thinking lately about how when Kary had his stroke I was 37 weeks pregnant.  I had been feeling tired and miserable before his stroke and thinking back on it I am amazed that I was able to make it through without having an early delivery with the stress I felt at the time. God gave me the strength and the courage I needed to carry on.  There is no doubt in my mind that He gave me the strength to endure that time in our lives.  I could not have made it through without His help.  I feel to exclaim as Ammon did in Alma 26:12, “Yea, I know … as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things..."  

So yes, things will be hard when the baby comes but I know God will help us through just as He has always...every single day of our lives... helped us through each day.  

Through this pregnancy I have been kind of a big whiner and mean and ornery.  I'm sick, I hurt, and I just feel miserable.  And some days I really struggle staying positive.  Then I look at Kary and am amazed at how he endures patiently every day.  He can't see, he hurts all day long, he can't walk, he can't do any of the things he used to enjoy such as camping, driving, 4 wheeling, motorcycle riding, he can't run and play with his children like his heart yearns to do...the list goes on and yet he is so patient and kind.   I know that Heavenly Father has given him the strength to endure all that he endures.  I know it's so hard on Kary and sometimes it is really really hard to watch how he must suffer in so many ways.  But Kary's faith is firm.  He is a great example to me.  I'm grateful that Heavenly Father helps strengthen Him every day too.  

Look to God and Live

I don't know why but I have been reflecting a LOT on my experiences I had as a missionary 13-14 years ago. I have been reading in my journal and thinking a lot about the people I came in contact with and was blessed to teach. I have also been watching a show called "The District" on BYUtv. So great as it helps remind me of the experiences I had teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ to His children. I was blessed to serve as a missionary for 18 months in the Carlsbad, California Mission. I truly loved the people I came in contact with. I loved my companions and learned something from each one of them. It was such a great blessing in my life to be a missionary and serve others. It was hard but so worth the joy and blessings that I received. Teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ truly brings me joy. I am reminded of this scripture: D&C 18:15 "And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father!" It is a blessing to see how the Gospel of Jesus Christ changes lives.

Here is a small excerpt from my missionary journal I feel like sharing as it actually helped remind me what I need to be doing more of these days.  Some days it's hard to see past the right now and easy to feel nervous about the future.  Don't get me wrong we are happy, but sometimes I just wonder what the future holds and how much longer Kary has to suffer physically.  I can't see the big picture and sometimes I just wish I could see beyond the present.  I need to remember what I wrote here:

 I'm out sitting on the trampoline in the backyard. I'm looking around me and I can't believe I'm in California...me...a small country girl...in the middle of this big city. Palm trees all around me, houses all around me. I am used to wide open spaces and being able to see all around me and I feel very cooped up and almost trapped because I don't know what is going on around me. I can't see.   I realize that the only way for me to see anything is to look up. I guess that is how my life is. When I feel there is nowhere to turn or I feel like I'm not going anywhere, the only thing I can do is look up towards God and rely on Him to help me see the big picture and trust in Him because He is the one who can see the WHOLE picture. He knows what is best for me in my life. Look to God and LIVE!"

Anyway, I have just had some wonderful experiences with regards to my mission and someone I taught and met with then in the last few days that would take a really long time to share but it is another witness to me that God knows His children.  He knows our hearts.  He knows our thoughts.  He hears our prayers.  He answers them.  So grateful!

Think Positive!

I was talking with my Mom today and she told me of something she had recently heard or read that said to basically find something positive about each moment, or hour, or day.  This week has been a little tough because both kids have been sick with fevers and coughing and I've been trying my best to keep them comfortable and meanwhile the house is turned upside down, the laundry is piling up, the dishes are piling, and we've all been cooped up in the house for a whole entire week.  I'm an emotional wreck when my kids are sick.  I worry about things that might happen that never ends up happening but I worry about it anyway just in case it does.  Ha ha!  Seriously!?  So, positive about this week...we all survived!!  LOL!  Today I actually got real clothes on, put make up on, and got to get out and run some errands.  It's amazing what a little makeup and getting dressed can do for my outlook on life.  Ha!  I should do it a little more often...ha ha!  Then I got to talk to a good friend tonight that was much needed therapy.  Thank you Mercedi! 

It is good to try and find the positive in each day or each situation.  I try to think about the many many blessings that we have recieved since Kary's stroke.  There are so many that I couldn't possibly name them all.  It's crazy to think that a trial can be a blessing but this one has been in many different ways.  I definitely would rather it didn't happen but I'm grateful for the things I'm learning and witnessing.  I still have many lessons to learn and I hope that I don't forget the things that I HAVE learned.  I'm reminded of Laman and Lemuel in the Book of Mormon that have many witnesses of the hand of God in their lives and yet they forget them and turn away from Him.  I don't want to be like that.  I want to remember all the miracles and witnesses that I have had in my life that denote that God lives...that He loves us...and that if we let Him; He will direct our lives for good.  He is always there for us if we let Him into our lives. 

Revelations 3:20 "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and ^aopen the door, I will ^bcome in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me."

I love this scripture because it reminds me that God could open the door himself, but He must be invited in before He can enter.  May we invite Him into our lives each day and our days will seem brighter and finding the positive in our situations will be easier as well because we have HOPE through Him.

Repentance

I had to speak in church today on repentance.  I haven't posted in a very long time so I thought I would share it here:

To start off I’d like to relay a story that was told by President David O. McKay :

“One day, a group of small boys were swimming. Perhaps it would be more accurate to say, they were learning to swim; for none could take more than a few strokes. Just below them a short distance down the stream was a treacherous hole much beyond their depth. Into this, either through bravado or accident, one daring youngster either plunged or fell. He became helpless to save himself; and for a moment his companions were powerless to aid him. Fortunately, one with presence of mind and quick action, jerked a long stick from a willow fence and held one end of it toward the drowning lad. The latter grasped it, held on tightly, and was saved. All the boys declared that the venturesome lad owed his life to the boy who furnished the means of rescue.” (The Gospel of Work, Instructor, Jan 1955, p 1.)

We are all like the young boy in this story who fell. We all fall into sin and have need to repent and be saved . Jesus is like the rescuer and His atonement is like the stick. Jesus offers us the Atonement as the way to receive forgiveness. When we repent, we reach out to accept the Atonement just as the drowning boy reached out to grasp the stick and was saved. If we accept the Atonement by repenting, we will be forgiven and be saved from our sins.

　

Let’s go into a little more detail and ask ourselves, “Why is it necessary for us to repent in this life?” We know that we can find all the answers to our questions in the scriptures. In D&C 1:31, The Lord says, “For I the Lord cannot look upon sin with the least degree of allowance. “ When we are brought to this earth we are clean and pure. During this time of testing and trial we all make mistakes and we sin. We are no longer clean and pure when we sin. We used to use an analogy on my mission where we ask our investigators to imagine that we live in a beautiful mansion with our Father and Mother and brothers and/or sisters. Our home is beautiful, and clean, and all white. One day we decide to go out to play and find ourselves too tempted and can’t resist the mud puddles. We run and jump in the mud puddles and get all dirty. Well, we are tired now and desire to go back inside our home. Our Father is standing at the door shaking his head and telling us that we can’t come in looking as we are. We are devastated and don’t know what to do now. Well, our older brother comes around the corner with a water hose and asks us if we want him to help us get cleaned up so we can go back inside. He helps us get cleaned up and we are able to now enter our beautiful home. The analogy isn’t perfect by any means but it gets us to see that as it says in 1^st Nephi 10:21, “…no unclean thing can dwell with God.” We must be cleansed from sin before we can inherit the kingdom of heaven.

Which brings us to ask How do we become clean? How is Repentance made possible? Referring back to the analogy of the boy who fell…he needed rescued and so do we need rescued from our sins. In Alma 34:8-9 Amulek answers the question as to how we can become clean :

“8 ...Behold, I say unto you, that I do know that Christ shall come among the children of men, to take upon him the transgressions of his people, and that he shall atone for the sins of the world; for the Lord God hath spoken it.

9 For it is expedient that an atonement should be made; for according to the great plan of the Eternal God there must be an atonement made, or else all mankind must unavoidably perish except it be through the atonement which it is expedient should be made.”

So Christ, because he suffered for our sins has grabbed the stick and is holding it out to us. He has done his part and now we must do ours by exercising our faith unto repentance. We must grab hold of the stick and use the atonement to help pull ourselves out of the treacherous hole that sin leads us into.

In Doctrine and Covenants 19:16-17 Christ solidifies this teaching by saying,

“16 For behold, I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent;

17 But if they would not repent they must suffer even as I;”

Richard G. Scott declared in the Apr 1995 conference,

“Each of us has made mistakes, large or small, which if unresolved will keep us from the presence of God. For this reason, the atonement of Jesus Christ is the single most significant event that ever has or ever will occur. This selfless act of infinite consequence, performed by a single glorified personage, has eternal impact in the life of every son and daughter of our Father in Heaven—without exception.”
“Finding Forgiveness,” Ensign, May 1995, 75

The ability that we have to grab on to the stick or the atonement is such a great and life saving gift that has been given to us. What love our older brother, our Savior, and friend has for us that He would rescue us. May we come unto Him and be perfected in Him.

I’d like to read the words to a favorite hymn: “Come Unto Jesus”

“1. Come unto Jesus, ye heavy laden,
Careworn and fainting, by sin oppressed.
He’ll safely guide you unto that haven
Where all who trust him may rest.

2. Come unto Jesus; He’ll ever heed you,
Though in the darkness you’ve gone astray.
His love will find you and gently lead you
From darkest night into day.

3. Come unto Jesus; He’ll surely hear you,
If you in meekness plead for his love.
Oh, know you not that angels are near you
From brightest mansions above?

4. Come unto Jesus from ev’ry nation,
From ev’ry land and isle of the sea.
Unto the high and lowly in station,
Ever he calls, “Come to me.”

Text and music: Orson Pratt Huish, 1851–1932 (LDS Hymns, No. 117)

Brothers and Sisters, Repentance takes effort on our part. There are things that we must do in order to be forgiven.

The first step to repentance is for us to have faith in God. Repentance is an act of faith, because it requires us to really believe there is a God and that it is worth the effort required to repent of our sins.

We must recognize our sins. Alma counseled his son Corianton, who had been unfaithful in his missionary calling and had committed serious sins: “Let your sins trouble you, with that trouble which shall bring you down unto repentance. …Do not endeavor to excuse yourself in the least point” (Alma 42:29-30)

We must feel sorrow for our sins. We must feel that our sins are terrible. We recognize the heavy burdens that our sins place upon us and wish to unload and abandon them.

We must forsake our sins. Our sorrow should lead us to forsake our sins. In D&C 58:43 the Lord revealed to the prophet Joseph Smith, “By this ye may know if a man repenteth of his sins--behold, he will confess them and forsake them.”

We must also Confess our sins. The Lord has commanded us to confess our sins. Confession relieves a heavy burden from the sinner.. The Lord promised in D&C 61:2,” I, the Lord, forgive sins, and am merciful unto those who confess their sins with humble hearts.”

We must make restitution. As much as possible we must make right any wrong that we have done.

We must forgive others. In Doctrine and Covenants 82:1 we read , “Verily, verily, I say unto you, my servants, that inasmuch as you have forgiven one another your trespasses, even so I, the Lord, forgive you.”

One final thing that we need to do to make our repentance complete is to keep the commandments of the Lord. When we repent we have a change of heart and have a desire to serve God and keep His commandments.



Brothers and Sisters as we repent, the Atonement of Jesus Christ becomes fully effective in our lives, and the Lord forgives our sins. We are rescued from the treacherous hole , and we experience peace and joy. Alma recounted his experience of repenting from his sinful past:

“My soul was harrowed up [troubled] to the greatest degree and racked with all my sins.

“Yea, I did remember all my sins and iniquities, for which I was tormented with the pains of hell; yea, I saw that I had rebelled against my God, and that I had not kept his holy commandments.

“… So great had been my iniquities, that the very thought of coming into the presence of my God did rack my soul with inexpressible horror.

“… It came to pass that as I was … harrowed up by the memory of my many sins, behold, I remembered also to have heard my father prophesy … concerning the coming of one Jesus Christ, a Son of God, to atone for the sins of the world.

“Now, as my mind caught hold upon this thought, I cried within my heart: O Jesus, thou Son of God, have mercy on me. …

“And now, behold, when I thought this, I could remember my pains no more. …

“And oh, what joy, and what marvelous light I did behold; yea, my soul was filled with joy as exceeding as was my pain!

“… There can be nothing so exquisite and sweet as was my joy” (Alma 36:12–14, 17–21).

I think that we have all felt the anguish that sinning brings to our hearts and souls.
The Savior is holding the stick out to us. I know that if we come unto Him; if we grab hold of the stick and use the atonement and repent of our sins every day that we will experience the sweet joy that comes from repenting and being once again pure that we will one day return to live with our Father in Heaven again.

In the name of Jesus Christ Amen.

　

Heaven is Here

I just finished reading "Heaven is Here" by Stephanie Nielson.  She and her husband were in a plane crash and survived.  Stephanie's body was 80% burned and her husband also suffered from burns.  This book tells her amazing journey.  It's an amazing love story as well.  What an inspiration she and her husband are to me.  I started reading excerpts of the book to Kary of when she was in the hospital and I know that Kary experienced similar things.  He just hasn't voiced them.  I  really want Kary to be able to share his feelings someday.  He has been through so much and continues to struggle with different things every day.  It's an emotional and physical and mental roller coaster. One thing that we have in common with Stephanie is our faith and trust in God and love of family. These are the two things that truly help us carry on.

Stephanie quotes from a conference address given by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland (an Apostle) Her family knows Elder Holland and he told her family that when he wrote this talk he had them specifically in mind.  I just want to quote it too because the words are so comforting and true.

"When lonely, cold, hard times come, we have to endure, we have to continue, we have to persist...Keep knocking on that door.  Keep pleading.  In the meantime, know that God hears your cries and knows your distress.  He is your Father, and you are His child."  

Patience and faith are key here.  We must trust in Father above and know that all will be done in His way and in His timing.  Sometimes we may feel that our prayers are not being heard or answered.  We want them to be answered our way and in our timing.  I know that if I continue to put my faith in God that it will all work out somehow.  He's got it all under control.  Somedays I really need to remember that! =)

She also quotes Elder Holland in another talk, "But when we speak of those who are instruments in the hand of God, we are reminded that not all angels are from the other side of the veil.  Some of them we walk with and talk with---here, now, every day...Indeed heaven never seems closer than when we see the love of God manifested in the kindness and devotion of people so good and so pure that angelic is the only word that comes to mind."

We have so many earthly angels that have surrounded us in our time of need.  Angels is the word that we use to describe everyone that has helped us on our journey.   I know that we have had unseen angels surrounding us and petitioning Father above in our behalf as well.

I especially love this quote from Elder Holland, " I testify that bad days come to an end, that faith always triumphs and that heavenly promises are always kept."

We have the promise of Kary being healed. We have the promise of our Savior's love and His ability to make our burdens light. We have been promised that if we endure that we will be blessed.

Yay!

Sunday Reflection: Letting go of our E.G.O.'s

Okay, so I was reading Alex Boye's profile on Mormon.org.  He is a recording artist and also a member of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.  Anyway, he said  something that I want to share with you.   He said, "God can take ordinary people and put them in extraordinary situations, and can bless us all in ways we cannot comprehend. In order for that to happen, from my own experience I tell people that we need to let go of our E-G-Os ( Edge God Out.) That seems to be the reason for almost every problem we face in day-to day living..... We cannot survive in this world without Gods influence in our lives."

Satan tries to decieve us and get us to believe that there is no God.  He wants us to Edge God Out of the picture. He wants us to believe that we don't need Him to be happy.  We can survive this life on our own; rely on our own inner strength.  Anything we gain in this life is through our own efforts.  There is no God.

 To know God and to love Him means to live as He would have us live and keep His commandments. For some to recognize a God in their lives would mean change and that may be hard for them to accept. If they don't believe in God there is no lasting consequence to any choices that are made.  It's all about the here and now and no eternal consequences.  Do as you please here.  Tomorrow you will die.  No big deal. That's what Satan would have us believe.  He does not want us to return to our Father in Heaven.

I have such a testimony that we truly do have a Father in Heaven who loves us.  He knows us.  He stands ready to bless us beyond measure if we will learn of Him, keep His commandments, and trust in Him.  My life has been blessed tremendously because of my knowledge of my Father.  I know that I can go to Him in prayer and He hears me.  He answers my prayers.  He comforts me.  He strengthens me.  If I did not know God existed and did not know I could rely on Him through our trials I would have cracked a long time ago.  I would have given up on happiness in this life.  I would have given up on myself and my ability to handle certain responsibilities and pressures in my life.    I have just had so many witnesses that He IS!  Like Alex said, "God can bless us all in ways we cannot comprehend".    If we would just let Him in.

“All things denote there is a God; yea, even the earth... and its motion, yea, and also all the planets which move in their regular form do witness that there is a Supreme Creator” (Book of Mormon, Alma 30:44).

I testify this is TRUE! 

Monday Reflection: House Upon a Rock

I don't know what is going on but it just seems like so many people I know or people I know who they know, etc....are having traumatic things occurr in their lives. Maybe it's because we had something traumatic happen to us and so we are more aware of things like this around us...I don't know, but it just seems like there are some heavy duty trials occurring for so many people.  I have met (through the internet) at least 3 people whose spouse has had a brain injury, a young girl of 16 who was in a serious accident who suffers from traumatic brain injury, a friend of mine whose nephew fell from a slide head first who has been in a coma and is in the hospital, a couple who just found out a couple of weeks ago that their 4 yr old son has a brain tumor and the very worst is expected for him, a guy from therapy who suffered spinal cord injury from a cough and was paralyzed from the neck down....  It's just all around.  I don't know if these things are occurring more or if it's just because I'm more aware of things like this because of what we have experienced.   

I know that this life is a test.  I know it's not supposed to be easy, but why does it have to be so hard sometimes?  Everyone will have to face challenges in this life.  All difficult.  No one will be spared heartache and pain and adversity.  I'm reminded of the scripture that talks about the wise man and the foolish man.  The wise man built his house upon the Rock.  The foolish man built his house upon the sand.   When the storms came the foolish man's house washed away and the wise man's house stood firm.  We all will face storms in our lives.  They will shake us to the core.  Our houses must be built on the Rock, our Savior, if we are to withstand these storms or trials.   We must gain a testimony of our Savior and His gospel now, because the trials will come and if we are not firm in our faith...we will fall. 

I think back to those first few days and weeks with Kary's stroke.  I was hit hard with this trial.  I was shaken to the core.   Every belief that I had in God and the gospel of Jesus Christ was questioned.  Was everything I believed really true?  Does God really exist?  Does he hear my prayers?  Will the priesthood blessings Kary recieved really come to pass?  The storm was rocking me.  Amidst the storm and all the questioning of my beliefs there was a calm and a peace that came to me and reminded me of all the witnesses I had been given in my life that God does exist, that He knows me, that He loves me, that He answers prayers, that the Priesthood works,   that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is real and true.  I knew it was going to be a long hard road, but the Holy Ghost was there to remind me that all those things I believed were indeed true and that I just needed to have faith, do my part, and that He would help us through.

The moments when we are struggling the most is also when Satan tries his hardest to get us to doubt our Father in Heaven and the love of our Savior which is why it's so important for us to have a foundation in Christ, our Rock.

Again, just grateful for my knowledge of my God and my Savior who help us every day to overcome our daily trials;  who give us the strength to carry on when the future is uncertain;  who give us hope and a promise of something better if we endure and stay true and faithful.

Reflecting on 2 years ago

I have just been looking over the pictures of Kary from two years ago and it's such a miracle that he is where he is right now emotionally, mentally, physically, and spiritually. I love this time of year as we get to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior. Also at this same time since it is so near the onset of Kary's stroke 2 years ago I can't help but reflect on that event as well.

Tonight our son said our family prayer for the evening and like he does every time he prays he asked for Daddy to be able to move his left arm and leg. We are happy to report to you that Kary is beginning to be able to lift his arm up from his shoulder out. Kary told our son that he knows why he has been able to lift his arm up recently. He told our son that it was because of our son's prayers in his behalf. Our son has bronchitis right now too and he prayed that he would get better. After Kary told our son the reason for his arm raising, our son replied, "Yep, we just have to have faith." Out of the mouth's of babes. I'm so glad that our son has a testimony of prayer and that God hears and answers our prayers.

I want to take the time to thank everyone for their continued prayers and support. It means the world to us. We have truly been blessed to have so many wonderful people be a part of our lives.

We want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and again offer our many thanks for all of you and your love and support. May we all let Jesus into our lives and experience the joy that comes from following His ways.

Much love,

Kary and Sharee Smith Family

Sunday Reflection: What Think Ye of Christ?

In the October 2011 general conference, Elder Dallin H. Oaks began his address by quoting a profoundly important question the Savior asked long ago: “What think ye of Christ?” (Matthew 22:42).
Elder Oaks then declared, “With those same words I ask my fellow Latter-day Saints and other Christians what you really believe about Jesus Christ and what you are doing because of that belief.”
This Christmas season, take time to consider what you believe about Jesus Christ and how that belief shapes your life. You could watch or listen to Elder Oaks’s conference address .

I will quote one of my favorite hymns as it portrays the way I feel about my Savior much more adequately than I could express myself.  It is the words to the song, "I Know That My Redeemer Lives" Feel free to watch this video and listen to the beautiful words here

"1. I know that my Redeemer lives.
What comfort this sweet sentence gives!
He lives, he lives, who once was dead.
He lives, my ever-living Head.
He lives to bless me with his love.
He lives to plead for me above.
He lives my hungry soul to feed.
He lives to bless in time of need.

2. He lives to grant me rich supply.
He lives to guide me with his eye.
He lives to comfort me when faint.
He lives to hear my soul’s complaint.
He lives to silence all my fears.
He lives to wipe away my tears.
He lives to calm my troubled heart.
He lives all blessings to impart.

3. He lives, my kind, wise heav’nly Friend.
He lives and loves me to the end.
He lives, and while he lives, I’ll sing.
He lives, my Prophet, Priest, and King.
He lives and grants me daily breath.
He lives, and I shall conquer death.
He lives my mansion to prepare.
He lives to bring me safely there.

4. He lives! All glory to his name!
He lives, my Savior, still the same.
Oh, sweet the joy this sentence gives:
“I know that my Redeemer lives!”
He lives! All glory to his name!
He lives, my Savior, still the same.
Oh, sweet the joy this sentence gives:
“I know that my Redeemer lives!”

Text: Samuel Medley, 1738–1799. Included in the first LDS hymnbook, 1835
 

I truly love my Savior. I want to do what is right and follow His commandments. I know that I fall short a lot. Every day. But, I'm so grateful that I'm able to repent and try and do better each day. Jesus told us to love one another as He loves us. Some of my goals are to be more kind, more gentle, less judgemental, and serve others more often.

I love the Christmas season because it is a time that we unite in joyous remembrance of the birth of Jesus Christ . May the Holy Ghost witness to us the truthfulness of His birth and His earthly mission and invite us all to come unto Him and be His true disciples in every word and deed; not just through the Christmas season but every day of our lives.

Faith Reflection

Well, we had a bit of a scare yesterday with my husband.  I had just got home from picking up my son from school and sat down at the computer to do some learning activities with my little girl.  My husband had been sleeping but all of a sudden I heard him call my name, "Sharee!"  I could tell it was a cry for help and had no idea what I would find when I ran into the bedroom.  I found Kary had fallen on top of the bed and the wheelchair and was having a seizure. I called for my 6 yr old son to call 911 and he sounded very anxious when he said, "I don't know which one is the 9."  So I told him to bring me the phone and he did and then I asked him to stay out in the living room with his sister.  Meanwhile Kary is still seizing and due to his weight is starting to fall between the wheelchair and the bed.  I'm trying to hold him up as I dial 911.  Got them called and then I knew I had to get Kary down to the floor by myself somehow without hurting him and making sure his arms wouldn't get twisted or turned wrong. As I'm still holding him I pushed the wheelchair aside best I could and started lowering him down while he's seizing.  His left arm got stuck in between the two wheelchairs wheels and his whole body was twisted so i had to try and untangle him from the wheels and then got back behind him and grabbed his legs to try and straigthen out his body.  The police man got there and helped me turn him onto his back.  Then the EMT got there and got him on the stretcher.  Luckily our neighbor had come and stayed with the kids while this was all going on. Kary started to come to as they were taking him to the ambulance .  Anyway, we found out that due to a flu bug or some kind of stomach issue that Kary had an infection in his stomach.  Gastroenteritis or something like that.  So they put him on antibiotics.  So, being dehydrated and having flu like symptoms his seizure medicine just wasn't able to absorb like it should.  I stayed the night with Kary at the hospital and they just watched him and kept fluids in him all night and the next day and then made sure he could hold his food down which he did after he recieved the antibiotics.  We got home about 3:30 or so I think.  Anyways, before this happened I had been thinking about the people in my life that have trials.  It seems like they just keep getting trial after trial after trial and I was just thinking to myself, "These people should be exempt from experiencing more trials because they already have it so tough why are they given more on top of what they already have?"  I don't know why it happens like that but I just know it happens so I had a thought that I need to be prepared because life was seeming pretty comfortable and that though I would like to be exempt from more trials, I am not.  Then this happens.  Though it was a shock to my system that it was happening I was not overly stressed.  I've had a feeling of peace and calmness, especially after a priesthood blessing was given to Kary. I knew that it happened for a reason and that God would help us through it.  I was even able to sleep pretty well which is amazing! Then tonight we read in Hebrews Chapter 11.  It's about faith.  How fitting to read this chapter tonight.  VS 1. "Faith is the assurance (JST) of things hoped for , the evidence of things not seen."  We are required to walk by faith in this life.  Faith in our Father above and Faith in our Savior to save and lift us up. We don't always know what God has planned for us.  It takes a lot of faith to trust in His plan.  Many times His plan is very different from what we envision for ourselves.  But, in my own personal experience, God's plan always ends up better than what I would have envisioned for myself.  I don't know how our experience and trials right now are better than what it would have been had it not happened, but I have faith that it is.  God knows best.   I loved the examples that this chapter gave of the many people who exercised their faith in God to do something that may have seemed impossible to them to do.  Abraham was asked to offer his own son as a sacrifice.  Wow!  That would have been a toughy!! What faith he had to do it! Moses, by faith, chose to "suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures  of sin for a season;" This chapter gives so many wonderful examples!!
I especially love vs 40(JST) "God having provided some better things for them through their sufferings, for without sufferings they could not be made perfect."  Can I just say, "WOW!!"
God allows us to have trials for our betterment.  He wants us to live with Him someday.  He knows what it will take to get us there.  If we have FAITH in Him and do our part and follow His commandments SO GREAT WILL BE OUR REWARD IN HEAVEN.  This knowledge is what helps me through each day.  It's not easy, but by faith in my father above I KNOW it will all be worth it in the end.  As the apostle Paul has said, we will be able to say, "I have fought a good ^afight, I have ^bfinished my course, I have kept the faith"!!!  AWESOME!!!

Sunday Reflections: Be an Example of the Believers

 I wasn't able to attend church today because my husband was sick.  Colton was sick last week so we missed last week too.  I feel such a difference when I'm not able to recharge my spiritual batteries.  Anyway, I'm glad I'm still able to read my scriptures and lessons and feel uplifted that way.  My sister, Lanae, shared with me a quote for next week's lesson that I really liked.  It's by Ruth B. Wright from October 1991 General Conference, "In Timothy (4:12), we are admonished to be an example of the believers. A believer is someone who follows and knows the teachings of Christ not only in his mind but also in his heart and whose actions are a witness of that belief. It isn't easy to be an example of the believers.  We don't usually wake up in the morning and say, 'Today, I'm going to be an example of the believers!'  Yet, we can say, 'Today, I will be kind and thoughtful, or considerate, or honest, or whatever quality I need to work on.'  And then we will try hard all day to make a conscious effort to do so. That's what we can do!  We can live in such a way that people can look to us as their examples.
To be a good example of a principle, we must not only understand it, but we must live that principle. It should be such a part of our every day living that without consciously thinking about it, the principle is reflected in the way we live.  To be true examples of believers, we are first committed inwardly to the principle of Christ that our actions reflect. For example, if we are dedicated to the principle of family prayer, we as parents pray regularly with our family. Hopefully, our children will recognize our devotion and dependence on prayer and pattern their prayers after this example.
Each of us can feel our Savior's love through the righteous example of others.  We, too, can strive to live in such a way that we can be examples of the believers."
I'm so grateful for the examples of believers I have had in my life that have helped strengthen my own testimony.  I have a long way to go but I really want to improve so many things in my life so that I can be a better example of the believers.  The great thing about this life is that we can try each day to improve.

Simple Reflections: The Apostle Paul a GREAT example

So, I studied the lesson for tomorrow's Sunday School Lesson and really enjoyed it.  We have many great examples in the scriptures.  Paul is definitely one of them.  Very interesting to me that he was one who had persecuted the saints and was one who also helped in the stoning of Stephen.  He was on his way to Damascus to further his persecution when he saw a vision of Jesus Christ that altered his life forever.  He became a great witness of Jesus Christ and His gospel. He was a great missionary. Throughout his missionary journeys, he was rejected and persecuted. But Paul stood firm in the faith and courageously bore testimony of Jesus Christ.

I think it is amazing that God would choose someone who had so persecuted the saints, but I think he knew that once Paul gained a testimony of his own that he would not falter.  He was stalwart and true.  He knew that he had seen a vision that day and he could not deny the things that he had seen. He had been called of God and yet still people denied the teachings of Christ taught by Paul.  As Christians, when we read the bible, we think to ourselves, "Why on earth wouldn't those people just listen to Paul?  He's called of God.  He's teaching truth.  Why do they not accept it?  Why do they deny it?  Their lives would be so much greater if they would accept the true teachings of Jesus Christ."  Why do people reject the teachings of Christ?  Maybe they are comfortable in their lifestyle and don't want to have to change because maybe it would mean having to give up certain things they currently enjoy doing.  Maybe it would mean giving up traditions.  I don't know.

The story of Paul also reminds me of the Prophet Joseph Smith who saw a vision of God, the Father, and His son, Jesus Christ.  Joseph also thought of the apostle Paul in his experience.  In his own words this is what Joseph said, "

 23 It caused me serious reflection then, and often has since, how very strange it was that an obscure ^aboy, of a little over fourteen years of age, and one, too, who was doomed to the necessity of obtaining a scanty maintenance by his daily ^blabor, should be thought a character of sufficient importance to attract the attention of the great ones of the most popular sects of the day, and in a manner to create in them a spirit of the most bitter ^cpersecution and ^dreviling. But strange or not, so it was, and it was often the cause of great sorrow to myself.

 24 However, it was nevertheless a fact that I had beheld a ^avision. I have thought since, that I felt much like Paul, when he made his defense before King Agrippa, and related the account of the vision he had when he saw a light, and heard a voice; but still there were but few who believed him; some said he was dishonest, others said he was ^bmad; and he was ridiculed and reviled. But all this did not destroy the reality of his vision. He had seen a vision, he knew he had, and all the ^cpersecution under heaven could not make it otherwise; and though they should persecute him unto death, yet he knew, and would know to his latest breath, that he had both seen a light and heard a voice speaking unto him, and all the world could not make him think or believe otherwise.

 25 So it was with me. I had actually seen a light, and in the midst of that light I saw two ^aPersonages, and they did in reality speak to me; and though I was ^bhated and ^cpersecuted for saying that I had seen a vision, yet it was true; and while they were persecuting me, reviling me, and speaking all manner of evil against me ^dfalsely for so saying, I was led to say in my heart: Why persecute me for telling the truth? I have actually seen a vision; and who am I that I can withstand God, or why does the world think to make me deny what I have actually seen? For I had seen a vision; I knew it, and I knew that God knew it, and I could not ^edeny it, neither dared I do it; at least I knew that by so doing I would offend God, and come under condemnation."

Having the knowledge I do of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ I want to be a great missionary like Paul. I want to share my knowledge with those I love and care about most.  Just as I ask why the people in Paul's day rejected his message as an apostle of the Lord, I wonder, " Why on earth won't people just listen to the message restored through Joseph Smith?  He was called of God.  He taught truth.  Why do they not accept it?  Why do they deny it?  Their lives would be so much greater if they would accept the true teachings of Jesus Christ."  Maybe it's because they have not been given the chance to learn more about it.  This is my invitation to all my friends and family:  Will you hear the words of a man that has been called of God, just like the apostle Paul, and find out the truth's of the gospel that have been restored through the Prophet Joseph Smith?  There are young men everywhere that have been called as the Lord's servants to teach the truth's of His gospel.... You can click on one of the buttons on the right of this blog or you can contact me with questions you may have as well.

It does take great courage to be a witness of Christ. Paul was a great example of that.  He went from being a persecutor of the gospel to being a great teacher and disciple of Christ.   Through it all the Lord was with Paul and told him to "be of good cheer."   May we all be like the apostle Paul and be witnesses of Jesus Christ in all situations. 

Sunday Reflections: Be of Good Cheer

My Mom's side of the family has a motto that we strive to live by. It is, "Be of Good Cheer!"  We have the quote from Thomas S. Monson and there are several scriptures also that remind us of this. Here are a few of my favorites:

D&C 68:5-6 "Behold, this is the promise of the Lord unto you, O ye my servants.

  Wherefore, be of good ^acheer, and do not ^bfear, for I the Lord am with you, and will stand by you; and ye shall bear record of me, even Jesus Christ, that I am the Son of the living God, that I ^cwas, that I am, and that I am to come"

D&C 78:18 "And ye cannot bear all things now; nevertheless, be of good cheer, for I will lead you along.  the kingdom is yours and the blessings thereof are yours, and the riches of eternity are yours."

John 16:33 “In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”

Marvin J. Ashton wrote, "Good cheer is a state of mind or mood that promotes happiness or joy....With God’s help, good cheer permits us to rise above the depressing present or difficult circumstances. It is a process of positive reassurance and reinforcement. It is sunshine when clouds block the light."

I love that.  In each of these scriptures we are reminded to "be of good cheer" because Jesus is there for us.   We don't have to carry our burdens alone.  We each have burdens or trials that we carry on our shoulders. Life doesn't always turn out the way we plan.  "Things" happen (that's putting it mildly...ha ha) that sometimes we just don't have control over.  Knowing that we have a loving Father in Heaven and our Savior Jesus Christ by our side really does provide a way for us to still experience joy.  The Lord will stand by us, he will lead us along.  We have the promise of eternal riches and blessings. This knowledge brings ME personally so much hope, which in turn allows me to feel cheerful and bright about each day and about our future.  If I didn't have this knowledge then I would probably be a cloud of gloom and doom. Life would be plum depressing.  But nope, I choose to trust in Father above and lean on my Savior.  This is what brings me happiness and hope for my family now and the future.

 Let us all "BE OF GOOD CHEER!"

Sunday Reflections: August 14, 2011

 

Today was a great Sabbath day.  The topic in Sacrament Meeting was Faith.  I really liked how one speaker compared faith in the Lord Jesus Christ to light.  Light dispels all darkness.  If we put our faith and trust in Him, He will guide us through times of darkness in our lives. Whether it be sin, discouragement, loneliness, despair, disappointment, or feelings of inadequacy.  The light of Christ is stronger than any darkness we encounter in this life.  If we will just trust in Him and follow Him. Jesus said in John 8: 12 "I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life."

I also love lighthouses and collect them because they are also a reminder to me that when I may feel lost in the fog and in stormy waters that I must look for my one true source of light and I will find my way home.  How grateful I am for my knowledge of Jesus Christ.  I have faith in Him and know that He will lead me on.  I always come back to our situation with Kary.  Our lives were turned upside down.  Kary's stroke definitely threw us for a loop and was nothing we ever expected to happen. We are still kind of in the dark as far as what this all means for our family.  We are learning little by little to walk with faith amid the encircling gloom. One step is enough for us.  We will put our faith in Him and do our best to follow His light.  What peace that light brings us!

Lead Kindly Light Hymn

Lead, kindly Light, amid th’encircling gloom, lead Thou me on!
The night is dark, and I am far from home; lead Thou me on!
Keep Thou my feet; I do not ask to see
The distant scene; one step enough for me.

I was not ever thus, nor prayed that Thou shouldst lead me on;
I loved to choose and see my path; but now lead Thou me on!
I loved the garish day, and, spite of fears,
Pride ruled my will. Remember not past years!

So long Thy power hath blest me, sure it still will lead me on.
O’er moor and fen, o’er crag and torrent, till the night is gone,
And with the morn those angel faces smile, which I
Have loved long since, and lost awhile!