Christmas: Finding Peace

As a mother, I've often wanted to give my children more temporally than I've been able to. Each Christmas I'd feel sad, especially as a single-parent for so many years, that I couldn't give them what they wanted or needed, or what I would have liked to give them. There were sometimes tears, mostly on my side.

Now, as a married woman, with 5 additional children and 14 grandchildren, I still feel the same. We're on a limited budget of time and resources.

For this reason I have been grateful for the teachings of my own mother who gave me the most important gift; the gift of a testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ and the understanding of what matters most.

I often reflect on these thoughts: what can we do to help lift, strengthen and bless our family, that will be meaningful, keep the Spirit of the season, and help them feel of our love? For...that is what matters most.

I am very grateful for the recent First Presidency Devotional about the true meaning of the season and these powerful messages from Elder Kearon:

“We must be careful not to be so busy and tired from trying to do too much that we miss the focus of the season and are unable to figuratively kneel at the manger, worship the newborn King, and bring our own personal gift to Him,”.

“Is your schedule too packed? Are certain cultural traditions and pressures causing you undue stress and preventing you from receiving and reflecting the joy of Christ’s birth? How might you simplify your calendar this Christmas and plan better for next?”

“Perhaps this year you don’t send the Christmas cards, or you let go of some other media-inspired expectation you have of yourself. The cost in either time or money will take away some of your ability to focus on the Savior and feel His Christmas joy.”

“Perhaps this year you have a simplified Christmas with more homemade gifts and gifts of service, because the pressure and cost of trying to buy it all is too great—and unnecessary—and it will take away some of your ability to focus on the Savior and feel His Christmas peace.”

“As this Christmas approaches, let us do more of what matters and much less of what doesn’t..."

I second his words as they are true and have sunk deep into my heart. I pray we can strive to have more peace this Christmas season by letting-go of what matters less and focusing on what matters most.  

15 Powerful Words that Will Bring You Greater Peace and Joy

Our thoughts define who we are.  If we are not careful we can fill our minds with negative things which are filled with negative 'energy'.  These things cause us to feel sick to the depths of our souls and in every cell of our bodies.

Research is finding that our thoughts can make us sick or heal us.  Let's do the latter.

Each word we mull around in our minds has an effect on our soul.  The way we spend our time in places of light or darkness - makes a difference in how we feel physically, mentally, and spiritually.  In fact, those three things are all connected into one whole; our person.

Here are 15 words which lived and practiced will bring greater Peace and Joy into each of our lives.  They are time-tested true principles.

15 words that will heal and fill

1. Love:  the most powerful emotion in the universe.
2. Charity:  the 'pure love' of Christ - by which all things were made that were made. 
3. Kindness: to ourselves and to one another.  It's a truth.
4. Hope:  Trust in the truth gives us HOPE that all things will work out, in the end, if we continue to press forward in the Light.
5. Light: a beautiful energy which lights our way, our path, our thoughts and our energies.  It gives us greater insight into what matters most and 'lifts' us to find a better way.
6. Truth: a favorite energy path that teaches us the way to go, gives us hope and light; as all are interconnected.
7.  Happiness:  the design of our existence and will be if we let all things go that are not of happiness.
8.  Forgiveness:  a healing power which is priceless.  Weight can be lifted immediately as soon as we 'let go and let God'.
9.  Repentance: denotes a change in our heart, a desire to do better, a lifting of the soul to a higher realm when we truly understand this God-given principle; an incredible gift!
10.  Mercy:  to and with one another for our weaknesses, imperfections, inherited traits we're trying to overcome, false beliefs which hold us back, lackings, longings etc.  They all help teach us patience.
11.  Patience:  with ourselves and one another.  Most of us want to do better and to be happy.  Patience is a trait to be 'practiced' as we experience life-schooling together.
12.  Humor:  a gentle way to let the experience the load a bit lighter.
13.  Wonderment:  Creativity, Learning, Awe at God's creations - gives us hope that there is a plan for all of this and for all of us.  We're not here by chance.  All these things have a great purpose.
14.  Good Cheer:  "Be of good cheer, for I have overcome the world" is the whole reason we're here.
15.  Consideration:  Consideration, Kindness, Empathy fill us with the light, peace, and joy we come here to attain.

Let us always focus on the Light of the World, which makes us better, helps us heal, gives us hope for better days to come, leads us to love, kindness, consideration and mercy for one another.

Words matter!  They make a difference in how we feel, heal, and see the world.  Let us focus on the good ones that fill our lives with love, joy, and happiness!

 

The Dayspring; To Give Us Light

 "Through the tender mercy of our God; 

whereby the dayspring from on high (Christ) hath visited us,

To give light to them that sit in darkness and...... to guide our feet into the way of peace. 

 Luke 1:78-79

  

Dayspring

DA'YSPRING, noun The dawn; the beginning of the day, or first appearance of light.
Whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us. Luke I.

Gilbert Arizona LDS Temple at Sunrise

He is our Light as we strive to raise our Children in Truth and Righteousness.  We have not been left alone.  Not only has He shown us the way but He IS the Way.  By and Through His example and as we follow His teachings, we can increase our love at home, for our fellow beings, and increase in light until the Perfect day. 

That which is of God is light; and he that receiveth light, and continueth in God, receiveth more light; and that light groweth brighter and brighter until the perfect day.  D&C 50:24

One of My Favorite Places on Earth

This is one of my favorite places on earth.  It's a place of peace and holiness for me. 

When I attend I am able to put all of the things of the world out of my mind and focus on the things of eternity. 

A few weeks ago I felt prompted to go up to the Temple in Salt Lake City, Utah.  So, I readied myself and went in the spirit of fasting and prayer.  I was seeking answers from the Lord concerning certain challenges in my life.  We all have them and often need the Lord's guidance to help us know what to do.  His wisdom is much greater than our own and, I know for myself, He desires to help us. 

As I was entering into the gates I saw this beautiful scene and just had to take a photo.  It's a magnificent structure, built by great sacrifice over a 40 year period, and the day was glorious.  The pink blossoms agains the blue sky were breathtaking to me and...I stood in awe and reverence at the majesty of God and His creations. 

But, the power of the Temple is not in the walls or the fixtures, but, rather, in the beautiful covenants; for...we are a covenant keeping people just like in ancient times.  And, we are promised glorious blessings as we keep those sacred covenants and strive to be made holy ourselves.

He didn't send us here to this earth just to leave us alone.  In fact, he told the early saints "I will NOT leave you comfortless."  That scripture has helped me during many of my own trials where I needed and sought Him sincerely and, the Temple is one place to feel that for ourselves.  His Spirit is there and it comforts and blesses us as we seek it and as we are worthy of it.

I am grateful for the blessings of the Temple; a house of God, and encourage all to worthy themselves to be able to go there.  It is of the holiest places on earth, a place of instruction, peace, and understanding.  

"Just Build Up the Kingdom of God" - Glenn Beck

I was only in the car for 6 minutes this morning as I drove my 15 yr. old daughter to a class.  After I dropped her off I turned on the radio to hear Glenn Beck for my 3 minute ride home - which I often do - to get my fix for the day. (I love and appreciate that good man.)  It wasn't by chance that this occurred.  I'm grateful for miracles that the Lord provides each day!

He was sharing a brief message and then leaving for the day.  His thoughts centered around recent prayers at church as he diligently sought guidance and direction from the Lord (one of the reasons I love him so; and for the integrity of his heart.)

He talked of how he sincerely desired to know the Lord's will and that, as he prayed he received the witness to "Just Build Up the Kingdom of God, and everything else will fall into place."  Instead of continuing to vent the frustrations that so many feel - of our current domestic and global events,  he now will focus more on the things that matter most; and the peace and safety we can each feel as we turn to the Lord and away from pride and selfishness and anger.  He will still keep us informed, yet focus more on what we can proactively do to get our own lives in order.

Simplifying

I'm big on 'simplifying'.  I think that most people have too much stuff (or waaaay too much stuff) and that it leads to all sorts of confusion, overwhelm, stress, frustration when one can't find something, and....lack of peace.

Follow the 'Son'

In my years of planning and ....attending seminars on organization, home-management, child-rearing, etc. I have come to really know for myself that 'less is more'.  It opens up channels of freedom for new experiences and ....spending time on things that matter most at present.

Years of study and pondering have also helped me to know that if we are to become a Zion society - we must not have our hearts set upon things of this world.  We are to 'let go' of things and put our hearts upon serving God and building His kingdom.  That is more difficult if we are too busy managing our 'stuff'.

Give Thanks in ALL things....

I don't always live as thankfully as I would like to - but, I am sincerely trying to do so.  I have found that it brings me greater happiness and helps me realize all that the Lord has done for me.

A few years ago I was going through the most difficult time in my life.  I didn't think that things could get any worse.  And, I was suffering a lot.  The day that I started to give thanks for the trials, and I was sincere about it, was the day that I started to see the good from all the challenges.  When I expressed thanks for poverty, the Lord helped me to see all that I had learned and become from it, when I thanked Him for an abusive relationship, He immediately opened my eyes and heart to the things I had learned from the situation and how He had led me out of it and helped me to be much more aware of the struggles and suffering of others.  I thanked Him for health problems as they had lead me to learn more about my body and the miracle it was and the things I needed to let-go of etc.  It was one of those 'aha' moments that changes hearts. 

This is just a small sampling of how gratitude has blessed my life.  Often, in prayer, I have been reminded to 'count your many blessings, name them one by one, count your many blessings see what God hath done.

I know that people may say 'it won't change anything', but, it does.  It changes the grateful person and the way they view their world.

As I ponder on the Saviors' life I realize that He went through all of this.  So, He REALLY knows.  That is why we have been counseled to 'give thanks in all things'.  It's not just a good idea.  It's a true principle that He knows will bless the 'Thanker' as well as give honor and glory to the 'Thanked'.  It is one way that we become a true disciple.

Much love to you all and wishes for a thankful Thanksgiving.  Even if things are not ideal (I've spent many holidays alone) we can find things to bless us.  Spending a holiday alone can be a blessing of time to rest and rejuvinate.  Spending it with people who are challenging - can be a way to look at things differently and seek divine help to endure.  Spending it with loved ones and in peace can be a reminder of the Prince of Peace and comes by His way of happiness.  However you spend it - know that a loving Father is aware of you and will not leave you comfortless.

Be grateful in all things.

Gratitude Bring Hope

Gratitude is a Hope Booster

My dear friend, Vickey, blogs at Goodness Matters.  She always posts things of Gratitude, Hope, Joy, Love, Peace, Faith, Fortitude, and Goodness.  Each time I read her messages I am moved by her faith and good cheer.  She's suffered many set-backs in life and is enduring some current huge issues of health (amongst other things.)

Her heart sings despite all her trials - and....maybe because of them.  She has overcome the world.

She helps me want to be better.  She teaches me that all these things are a test of our faith as well as a blessing to help us become more pure and refined.  They bring us closer to Christ - if we'll let them.

When Vickey posts - her message resonates with my soul for she teaches truth.  Even if she's writing about difficulties - she helps me see the power of Goodness that shines through them.  And...her message is one of Trusting in God, Learning of Him, Becoming like Him through the purifying process, and sharing His goodness with others'.

Thank you, Vickey, for your light, love and example.  Thank you for sharing Goodness with the rest of us!  Goodness Matters

WHY Study the Scriptures?

Why are we 'supposed' to Study the Scriptures?  Can't we make-it without doing so?  Aren't we able to access truths in other ways?  Do we really need to do it regularly?

Do we need physical nourishment and exercise regularly?

My experience is that opening the scriptures - opens a conduit to Heaven.

When my children were small and sometimes scared at bedtime - I'd have them snuggle their personal copy of the Book of Mormon.  It seemed to comfort them even more than their stuffed animal.  That was because they'd previously felt the Spirit teach them sacred and comforting truths during family scripture study.  They knew, also, from my testimony at the end of some of our discussions, that these teachings were more than just good ideas.  They were the sure-way home.

Happiness is a Choice???

I've often heard said that "Happiness is a Choice".  If that were fully true then ...wouldn't we all be happy?  Don't we desire that?  Do we 'choose' depression or fear or trials?  Perhaps so, but...that's not what this post is about.

In my journey I have learned that happiness may be a 'choice' but....it's not that easy.  We're here to learn from our own experiences.  If we didn't know pain - we couldn't know joy etc.

More than just being a choice - I think it's a combination of factors that we're trying to resolve.  Emotional and physical healing are part of that.  So is understanding true principles.

Have you ever been the recipient of someone telling you to 'get over it' or....'just let it go'?  Did that counsel heal it all?  Or....are there more things to learn from it?

Faithful Women!

"Remember, sisters, we all have our own challenges to work out while passing the tests of mortality, and we probably often think ours are the most difficult. Recognize limitations; no one can do everything. When you have done the best you can, be satisfied and don’t look back and second-guess, wondering how you could have done more. Be at peace within yourselves. Rather than berate yourself for what you didn’t do, congratulate yourself for what you did.

"Faithful women and young women who have recently joined the Church already are assisting in the work in many newly opened countries in eastern Europe, including the Soviet Union. The work rolls forward in the vast continent of Africa and is hastened through the service of faithful women. Righteous women join the Church in Asia and help to strengthen it in their own lands. Many wonderful women valiantly serve the Lord in Latin America and on the islands of the sea. In fact, dear sisters, your influence for good is felt in 135 countries and territories where the gospel is now being taught.

The strength of this Church from its beginning in 1830 has been and will continue to be enhanced through the faithful service of good women and young women like you."  Beloved M. Russell Ballard