Get's me every time.

I often will upload Mormom Messages onto my device and will watch them on my subway ride into work.  I always feel so uplifted after watching messages on gratitude, service, temples, etc.

However, even though the messages are uplifting and thought-provoking,  they are quite often tear-jerking.  So you almost always can find me sitting on the A train going to 59th street blubbering over a 3 minute message.   And each time I see a new one, I upload it to my device, wondering if this one's going to make me blubber.  

Every. Time.

This one is no different.  Maybe you'll do better then me.  Good luck! :)

(The voice over reading reminds me of something out of Dr. Seuss. I  like it.) 

The Wise Men

"There is much we can learn from the Wise Men. Like them, we should study the scriptures and know the signs to watch for as we all prepare the earth for the Savior’s Second Coming. Then, as we search and ponder the scriptures, we will more fully desire to seek the Lord every day of our lives and, as a gift to Him, give up our selfishness, pride, and rebelliousness. When personal revelation comes to alter the plans we have made, we can obey, having faith and trust that God knows what is best for us. And ultimately, through lives of true discipleship, we must fall down and worship the Savior in humility and love.

This discipleship doesn’t necessarily require us to leave our sheep in the fields or to cross deserts. Our journey to Him isn’t physical; it is spiritual and behavioral. It involves accepting and embracing the fact that His Atonement is infinite and covers every aspect of our lives—our sin, weakness, pain, sickness, and infirmity (see Alma 7:11–13). It means that we can let go of those things that hold us down in the gloomy fog of our own inversion and live instead in the warmth and love of the Light of the World. As President Henry B. Eyring, First Counselor in the First Presidency, has taught: “The words ‘come unto Christ’ are an invitation. It is the most important invitation you could ever offer to another person. It is the most important invitation anyone could accept." "

(Come, Let Us Adore Him. Elder Patrick Kearon, Ensign Dec 2011)

image borrowed from MormonSoprano.com

A New Calling

That's right!  I am in Scouts.  Back to Primary! Woot!

My calling is specifically over recruiting.  I get to plan semi-annual events to get kids and parents excited about scouts and spread the word about how awesome it is to be a cub scout.

Not having gone through scouts myself, I had to read up on it a bit, as well as go through an online training session.  Scouting IS awesome!  What better place for boys to be than in scouts.  It's aim is to develop young people physically, spiritually and mentally so that youth may take a constructive place in society.  

How 'bout that? 

I'm excited for the task ahead and hope we can get, oh I don't know, 10 new cub scouts by January.

One last quote from Robert Baden-Powell, founder of scouting:

Leave the world a little better than you found it.

Gotta Dance

I want to do another one of these. Who's in?

(wish Debs and Erin were here to play!)

Thanks Mom for reminding me to post this!

Finding Balance

There's a most excellent Q&A on Finding Balance with Sister Julie B. Beck on the Mormon Channel.

I highly recommend listening to it. It's both validating and uplifting. Check it out, here!

Let Us Anew

As promised, I am going to maintain my blog for as long and as often as I can.

To quote Princess Bride:

"You think it'll work?"

"Nah. It'd take a miracle."

Well, hunker down, because I'm about to attempt a few miracles.

***note to self: work on being less campy in your blog introductions**

First of all, can we just talk about this weekend? Three cheers for General Conference weekend! I'm also impressed with how quickly they are able to get the transcripts of conference up already. Remember when it took 2 weeks?

I feel like I've been so supported and inspired the last two weeks with the General Relief Society Broadcast and now General Conference itself. I sort of get that feeling of, "Yes. I can do this. I can be better. I can serve more. I can love more. I can do it!". It's sort of like hitting a restart button sometimes. Erase old goals and prioritize myself, to put the important things on top.

Now, I'm not totally naive to the idea that this won't last forever, but I'm going to keep trying. And that's what conference is about, right? Examining, reflecting, applying the atonement, and trying.

Some other topics that struck me included:

-scriptures illuminate our minds

and open the channel to commune with God

-Testimonies can carry us through hardship

-God loves us (we are never invisible to God)

-Temple Patron Fund (whoo hoo!)

-Look up to Christ

-Master manager of time

-To hope in the Lord in our trials

And so much more!

I know this church is true. I know God lives and speaks to us through both personal revelation and through his prophets and apostles. I know he loves us. And that his son, Jesus Christ, is the Savior of all mankind.

I hope you have a wonderful week!

I did it!

I am updating my blog (don't hold your breath)!!!

Last time I did so, was 9 months ago. Hmmm...it's like I have little blog babies. I go into an incubation period, until I'm ready to pop out a really great story ("great story" is relative. Maybe if you were living in cave with nothing but a tomato can's list of ingredients for reading material).

This experience came post-General Conference, when some sisters from ward got together for a little girl's night in, while the men were at Priesthood Session. So glad we did it.

We visited a couple hours and ate yummy treats. Topics varied from babies to odd subway stories, from human psychology to boob jobs. And as always, some gospel principle would emerge and we would discuss the topics from conference and basically share our own experiences (and inevitably, testimonies).

In talking with two sisters, I realized what a varied group we were, in a group of maybe, 6 women. There were some commonalities between us, but our experiences in life were very individual. I came to realize what Sister Beck means when she refers to Relief Society as having diverse cultures, trials, and backgrounds and yet unified in faith.

She said:

"I have visited many of you this past year, and my heart has been touched as I have looked into your eyes, hugged you, laughed with you, cried with you, and listened to your grief, joy, and triumph. Each of you is precious beyond description and known by our Heavenly Father. As daughters of God, you are preparing for eternal designations, and each of you has a female identity, nature, and responsibility. The success of families, communities, this Church, and the precious plan of salvation is dependent on your faithfulness. Oh, dear sisters, how we love and pray for you!"

This also made me stop and examine, the pre-conceived notions I have of my fellow sisters. And how I should never assume or judge, but rather show love and understanding. Acting with real Charity.

There are so many incredible women in this world. Women who experience hardships and sorrows and yet, try to do their very best each day. They are leaders in their homes, at work, and in their communities. They strive to live faithfully and do what the Lord would have them do. How inspiring! I am so blessed to be part of the Relief Society. I'm so blessed to know you!

Thank you for your example. You are a light in my life.

Love

Me

p.s. more to come. I'm really going to try to keep this up. I wrote down some notes for next time: finding balance, surgery, journaling, roller coasters, purple monkey dishwasher...ah-ha! Just wanted to be sure you were paying attention.

Yappy Hew Near!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Whoah. Have I really not blogged since October? Looks like I found, yet another item to put on the "the list".

What are your resolutions/promises/aspirations to yourself this fine 2011?

Giving up sugar? Practicing greater gratitude?

Learning a new language? Doing your taxes earlier than last year?

Inspire me! You always do. :)