Recently, I taught a Sunday lesson about adversity and how it can help us to grow. As I prepared and taught the lesson I thought of all the adversity I have faced in my life. I know that the Lord loves me enough to let me go through these things so I can grow. Each difficult experience has brought me closer to my Heavenly Father and one step closer to what He wants me to be.
I can honestly say that I am thankful to have learned from the sorrows I have experienced. Eight miscarriages, many surgeries and illnesses, betrayal of those I have trusted, the loss of a child, fathers, neices, nephews, and several close friends, have all taught me important lessons.
"...how can you and I really expect to glide naively through life, as if to say, “Lord, give me experience, but not grief, not sorrow, not pain, not opposition, not betrayal, and certainly not to be forsaken. Keep from me, Lord, all those experiences which made Thee what Thou art! Then let me come and dwell with Thee and fully share Thy joy!” ~ Elder Neal A. Maxwell
Real faith is required to endure this necessary but painful developmental process.”--Elder Maxwell
If we want to become as He is, we must have these experiences to grow. Each sorrow and adversity we experience gives us a foundation of empathy and knowledge in which to share with others who are suffering similar hardships. Lord, I'm not asking for more, but thank you for all you have taught me through these experiences!
Friday, November 4, 2011
The Berlin Wall ~ 22 Years Ago
20 years ago today the Berlin Wall came down. (This Post was accidentally left in my Draft Folder. It should have been posted on November 9 2009. Now, in just 5 few days it will have been 22 years since the Berlin Wall came down)
The concrete barrier was part of the Iron Curtain erected by the German Democratic Republic after World War II and completely split Berlin in half, creating East and West Germany. It was guarded by towers and trenches where many people lost their lives trying to escape.
I had read about those who had dropped their children over the wall hoping they would have a better life on the other side and those who had lost loved ones trying to escape. Many people went to extreme measures to help others escape from Eastern Germany and had risked their own lives in the process. I had always felt empathy for those who were separated from loved ones on the other side of the wall and imagined the horror they felt knowing they had not escaped in time.
On November 9, 1989 after civil unrest and a feeling of revolution had swept across Eastern Europe the wall came down. I watched the events unfold on television as crowds on both sides of the wall flung sledge hammers at it and watched it crumble. Many grappled for something to cling to as they climbed on a portion of the wall to see over or cross it for the first time. People celebrated and cheered, and many jumped on the concrete pieces as they fell. It was an incredible feeling of euphoria.
I remember the joy I felt for so many people who were suddenly free to see beyond the Iron Curtain that had held them captive and separated them from freedom for years. For several weeks people chipped away at the wall and collected pieces for souvenirs and eventually it was mostly all gone. It was a great miracle in their lives and a wonderful piece of history to witness!
Ten years later my son James served a mission in Berlin. If the wall hadn’t come down he wouldn’t have been blessed to minister to those people who had previously been trapped on the eastern side of the Berlin Wall. He had the opportunity to visit museums and historical sites and on a P-Day he and his companion hiked to a place where a large portion of the wall had been. He learned much of their strength and fortitude and much of their suffering. I know it made him more grateful to live in this great land of America!
Learning what these people lived through has made me more grateful for my freedom and given me hope that with strength from God I too could survive something horrible and difficult. As I think about the history I have witnessed in my lifetime I am even more grateful to have a knowledge that the Lord is in control of all the events that unfold in the world. He has the power to free His people in His own due time. It strengthens my faith knowing that if we are required to suffer through difficult times like the people of East Berlin we can be assured that God has not forgotten us and will free us when He sees fit.
The concrete barrier was part of the Iron Curtain erected by the German Democratic Republic after World War II and completely split Berlin in half, creating East and West Germany. It was guarded by towers and trenches where many people lost their lives trying to escape.
I had read about those who had dropped their children over the wall hoping they would have a better life on the other side and those who had lost loved ones trying to escape. Many people went to extreme measures to help others escape from Eastern Germany and had risked their own lives in the process. I had always felt empathy for those who were separated from loved ones on the other side of the wall and imagined the horror they felt knowing they had not escaped in time.
On November 9, 1989 after civil unrest and a feeling of revolution had swept across Eastern Europe the wall came down. I watched the events unfold on television as crowds on both sides of the wall flung sledge hammers at it and watched it crumble. Many grappled for something to cling to as they climbed on a portion of the wall to see over or cross it for the first time. People celebrated and cheered, and many jumped on the concrete pieces as they fell. It was an incredible feeling of euphoria.
I remember the joy I felt for so many people who were suddenly free to see beyond the Iron Curtain that had held them captive and separated them from freedom for years. For several weeks people chipped away at the wall and collected pieces for souvenirs and eventually it was mostly all gone. It was a great miracle in their lives and a wonderful piece of history to witness!
Ten years later my son James served a mission in Berlin. If the wall hadn’t come down he wouldn’t have been blessed to minister to those people who had previously been trapped on the eastern side of the Berlin Wall. He had the opportunity to visit museums and historical sites and on a P-Day he and his companion hiked to a place where a large portion of the wall had been. He learned much of their strength and fortitude and much of their suffering. I know it made him more grateful to live in this great land of America!
Learning what these people lived through has made me more grateful for my freedom and given me hope that with strength from God I too could survive something horrible and difficult. As I think about the history I have witnessed in my lifetime I am even more grateful to have a knowledge that the Lord is in control of all the events that unfold in the world. He has the power to free His people in His own due time. It strengthens my faith knowing that if we are required to suffer through difficult times like the people of East Berlin we can be assured that God has not forgotten us and will free us when He sees fit.
Inspiration
For a few months I have been part of a Life Coaching group The last few months while serving in the temple I have been using the principles we have been studying in the coaching sessions. I have been striving to greet all whom I meet with love in my heart, and I have smiled at every person I have come in contact with.
At first some people seemed skeptical and reserved, but It hasn’t taken very long for them to feel how genuine my love for them is. In a very short period of time many of them have told me that my smile was beautiful and made their day. Many have shared their stories and experiences with me and are starting to greet me as they would an old friend. It’s been a very rich and satisfying experience.
I have always felt that love was something we can’t live without, more important that food or shelter is the need for love. This morning I sat alone in the most beautiful of all rooms in the temple looking at a painting of Jesus Christ. He is my ultimate example of one who exemplifies love to all. As I thought of him I felt a greater desire to be like Him, and truly love everyone. Something very powerful happened to me. I instantly felt His love for me. I have felt it before, but this time it was overwhelming.
Many thoughts flooded my mind. I realized that it’s easy for me to love others, but the thing that holds me back the most is my inability to love myself. It’s so easy for me to see the good in others and so hard to see the good in myself. I remember hearing that the qualities we see in others are also in us. As I thought of this I realized that I am surrounded with amazing, gifted, incredible people. These people wouldn’t choose my companionship if I didn’t share some of their good qualities.
I then felt richly blessed by great friends and family. Two distinct conversations I recently had with some of these great people was brought to my memory. I remembered them sharing their feelings about me, and the gifts and qualities I have that they admire. I realized that these amazing people can see who I really am. They see me as my creator does, yet it’s hard for me to see myself the way they do.
At that moment I realized that I am divinely designed with every attribute and quality I need. I have been summing myself up to others who were designed with different qualities and gifts. I realized that my creator loves me just how I am. He made me perfect. I don’t need to try to be someone else. It’s painful trying to be like someone else, and there’s no need to do that when I have everything I need to succeed within myself. I realized that some of the qualities I see in others are also hidden in me. I may have suppressed them, minimized them, or been unwilling to share them with others, but I have all the gifts and talents I need already.
I thought of the new friends that I have made while serving in the temple who have come out of the shadows because of the love I have shown them. They are excited to greet me and they are drawn to me. This has only happened because I chose to show them love. Today I was taught that I now need to extend that same love to myself. If I can start loving myself for who I truly am, divinely designed, I too will come out of the shadows and thrive. I will be able to be a happier and more successful person.
I am so thankful for this gift today. 30 minutes alone in that beautiful and peaceful place opened my heart to the inspiration and love that I needed. What a blessing God's love for each of us truly is!
The Path
God's path is always straight and clear to follow. In D&C 3:2 it says, "For God doth not walk in crooked paths, neither doth he turn to the right hand nor to the left, neither doth he vary from that which he hath said, therefore his paths are straight, and his course is one eternal round."
His is laid out straight before us, while the one we try to carve out on our own is laden with danger. Big rocks, potholes, and obstacles of all kinds seem to always be on the path I take when I get distracted and don't pay attention to the one my feet should follow.
Since breaking my leg twice while hiking, I have learned that's it's dangerous for me if I don't carefully watch where I step. I've learned the hard way that getting distracted by the pretty and alluring things that hit me from the side are only neat for a few minutes, and then I end up getting hurt.
When our feet hit the ground each morning we must put them on that straight and narrow path, and like little Ryan, we should take off running and run right past those distractions!
Saturday, March 27, 2010
President Benson Warns America
A friend of mine just posted the following video which I saw years ago. Following her post a few people mocked it and said President Benson didn't speak for God, wasn't a righteous man, used scare tactics to make people believe Communism was a threat to Americans, and that the Law of Consecration was the greatest form of Socialism according to the scriptures and latter-day prophets. These comments made me livid! I generally stay out of people's mindless discussions, but I just couldn't hold back on such an important topic. I love and respect Ezra Taft Benson and knew he had the light of Christ in him. I know what he said about this topic was true, and I couldn't stand by while people said disparaging things about this great man. This was my response to their unenlightened comments:
President Ezra Taft Benson was an amazing man, full of love and very inspired. He spoke the word of God. He toured Europe following WWII as the Secretary of Agriculture in U. S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s cabinet. He witnessed firsthand the ravages of war brought on by the works of evil men like Hitler and Stalin. He saw what happens when Socialism, Communism, and dictatorship reigns. He didn't use scare tactics but quoted proof of what he had seen through his own eyes, and from the accounts of people he had met. He vowed to spend his entire life trying to ensure that his predecessors wouldn’t have to live under any type of Socialism, Communism, or under the reign of any evil leader, because he had seen how they destroy lives and take away individual freedoms. These forms of government are totally opposite of the Law of Consecration. It is lived only by choice and is a plan where all who participate do so willingly, not by force, and offer all they have for the good of everyone. They can choose to participate or not, where as Socialism and Communism offer no choice. And all those who choose to live the Law of Consecration are required to contribute and earn their keep in order to receive, as opposed to Socialism and Communism where the masses are forced to give all they have to the government so others who aren’t willing to do anything for it can receive. The Law of Consecration is a law of equality for the good of everyone, not something forced on them so that only a few choice people can prosper, hold all the power, and dictate how the majority will live!
President Ezra Taft Benson was an amazing man, full of love and very inspired. He spoke the word of God. He toured Europe following WWII as the Secretary of Agriculture in U. S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s cabinet. He witnessed firsthand the ravages of war brought on by the works of evil men like Hitler and Stalin. He saw what happens when Socialism, Communism, and dictatorship reigns. He didn't use scare tactics but quoted proof of what he had seen through his own eyes, and from the accounts of people he had met. He vowed to spend his entire life trying to ensure that his predecessors wouldn’t have to live under any type of Socialism, Communism, or under the reign of any evil leader, because he had seen how they destroy lives and take away individual freedoms. These forms of government are totally opposite of the Law of Consecration. It is lived only by choice and is a plan where all who participate do so willingly, not by force, and offer all they have for the good of everyone. They can choose to participate or not, where as Socialism and Communism offer no choice. And all those who choose to live the Law of Consecration are required to contribute and earn their keep in order to receive, as opposed to Socialism and Communism where the masses are forced to give all they have to the government so others who aren’t willing to do anything for it can receive. The Law of Consecration is a law of equality for the good of everyone, not something forced on them so that only a few choice people can prosper, hold all the power, and dictate how the majority will live!
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Kids are SO Honest
Sunday I taught a lesson at church on Moral Discipline. We may have morals, but the discussion was about whether or not we back them up by our actions. Do we have the courage to do what's moral when others aren't or do we give in to the pressure and leave our values behind when others do?
One girl had a funny story to share. It really was innocent enough, but it gave us all something to think about. She's a single divorced mom with a few kids. Her mother had told her about an activity at church for singles 31 and over, and had encouraged her to attend, probably hoping she would meet a great guy. She agreed to go. When she was leaving she told her kids she was going to a 31 and over singles activity. Her son who is seven said, "Mom, how old are you?" She told him she was 29. He said, "Mom, you know what? You lie a lot. You aren't really 31 and you are going anyway, and you also sneak candy into the movie theater even though there's a big sign on the door that says you can't."
It made us all laugh. The people at the activity wouldn't care if she wasn't really 31, they would just be glad she came. And many of us sneak candy into the theater because they don't sell what we want or it costs twice as much as it's worth. That's my justification, which I know isn't right either.
Her story reminded us all that it's a guarantee that our kids are always watching us and learning by our good or bad examples. The boy made a good point that we all need to think about. Do we do what we're supposed to do and set a good example of honesty and integrity for them? I will probably always feel guilty now if I take treats to the movie! Don't you just love how honest kids are? They put us right in our place!!!
One girl had a funny story to share. It really was innocent enough, but it gave us all something to think about. She's a single divorced mom with a few kids. Her mother had told her about an activity at church for singles 31 and over, and had encouraged her to attend, probably hoping she would meet a great guy. She agreed to go. When she was leaving she told her kids she was going to a 31 and over singles activity. Her son who is seven said, "Mom, how old are you?" She told him she was 29. He said, "Mom, you know what? You lie a lot. You aren't really 31 and you are going anyway, and you also sneak candy into the movie theater even though there's a big sign on the door that says you can't."
It made us all laugh. The people at the activity wouldn't care if she wasn't really 31, they would just be glad she came. And many of us sneak candy into the theater because they don't sell what we want or it costs twice as much as it's worth. That's my justification, which I know isn't right either.
Her story reminded us all that it's a guarantee that our kids are always watching us and learning by our good or bad examples. The boy made a good point that we all need to think about. Do we do what we're supposed to do and set a good example of honesty and integrity for them? I will probably always feel guilty now if I take treats to the movie! Don't you just love how honest kids are? They put us right in our place!!!
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