Showing posts with label goals. Show all posts
Showing posts with label goals. Show all posts

2025-02-16

Follow the Prophet

Round Two of me re-listening to all forty talks from President Nelson, one every day.  This time I am writing down phrases that resonate with me or inspire me to greater faith, greater humility, greater trust in my Savior.  

Hearing the actual voice of a living prophet's counsel every single day--it's changing my life.  It is such a privilege and responsibility to heed his words.  It is bringing personal and profound peace and comfort to me.

These words are pure doctrine and pure truth. 

1. "Introductory Remarks," April 2018, General Priesthood Session

  • We are engaged in the work of Almighty God. Jesus is the Christ! We are His humble servants! God bless you, brethren, as we learn of and do our duty, I pray in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
  • We can help all to see with the eye of faith that obedience and righteousness will draw them closer to Jesus Christ, allow them to enjoy the companionship of the Holy Ghost, and experience joy in life!
  • Pray in the name of Jesus Christ about your concerns, your fears, your weaknesses—yes, the very longings of your heart. And then listen! Write the thoughts that come to your mind. Record your feelings and follow through with actions that you are prompted to take. As you repeat this process day after day, month after month, year after year, you will “grow into the principle of revelation.
  • ...construction of these temples may not change your life, but your time in the temple surely will. In that spirit, I bless you to identify those things you can set aside so you can spend more time in the temple.
  • The adversary is increasing his attacks on faith and upon us and our families at an exponential rate. To survive spiritually, we need counterstrategies and proactive plans . . . through a home-centered and Church-supported plan to learn doctrine, strengthen faith, and foster greater personal worship.
  • Seek to know more, to understand more, to feel more about temples than you ever have before.
  • When we discard the Savior’s name, we are subtly disregarding all that Jesus Christ did for us—even His Atonement.
  • The new home-centered, Church-supported integrated curriculum has the potential to unleash the power of families, as each family follows through conscientiously and carefully to transform their home into a sanctuary of faith. I promise that as you diligently work to remodel your home into a center of gospel learning, over time your Sabbath days will truly be a delight. Your children will be excited to learn and to live the Savior’s teachings, and the influence of the adversary in your life and in your home will decrease. Changes in your family will be dramatic and sustaining.
[Personal Note: These words of President Nelson had a really deep impact on me when I heard them.  And re-hearing them today made me take time to write down how they really touched my heart and led to action.]  
 
9. "Come, Follow Me," April 2019
  • ...consider seriously the enabling laws of the Lord.
10. "Spiritual Treasures," October 2019, general women's session
  • I hope the sisters understand the spiritual treasures that are theirs in the temple.
11. "Closing Remarks," October 2019
  • Each temple is a holy place; each temple patron strives to become more holy.
12. "Opening Message," April 2020
  • Though today’s restrictions relate to a virulent virus, life’s personal trials stretch far beyond this pandemic. Future trials could result from an accident, a natural disaster, or an unexpected personal heartache.  How can we endure such trials? The Lord has told us that “if ye are prepared ye shall not fear.” Of course, we can store our own reserves of food, water, and savings. But equally crucial is our need to fill our personal spiritual storehouses with faith, truth, and testimony.
  • As followers of Jesus Christ, living in a day when the COVID-19 pandemic has put the whole world in commotion, let us not just talk of Christ or preach of Christ or employ a symbol representing Christ.  Let us put our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ into action!
14. "Hear Him," April 2020
  • The increasing darkness that accompanies tribulation makes the light of Jesus Christ shine ever brighter.
  • The adversary is clever. For millennia he has been making good look evil and evil look good. His messages tend to be loud, bold, and boastful. However, messages from our Heavenly Father are strikingly different. He communicates simply, quietly, and with such stunning plainness that we cannot misunderstand Him.
  • Our Father knows that when we are surrounded by uncertainty and fear, what will help us the very most is to hear His Son.
15.  "Hosanna Shout," April 2020
  • It is a sacred tribute to the Father and the Son, symbolizing the reaction of the multitude when the Savior made His triumphal entry into Jerusalem. It also reaffirms what young Joseph experienced that day in the Sacred Grove—namely, that the Father and the Son are two glorified Beings, whom we worship and praise.
16. "Go Forward in Faith," April 2020 closing remarks
  • Because Jesus Christ is at the center of everything we do in the temple, as you think more about the temple you will be thinking more about Him.
17. "Embrace the Future with Faith," October 2020, general women's session
  • When the Holy Ghost is with you, you can teach truth, even when it runs counter to prevailing opinions. And you can ponder sincere questions about the gospel in an environment of revelation.
18."Let God Prevail," October 2020
  • Through this wrestle, Jacob proved what was most important to him. He demonstrated that he was willing to let God prevail in his life. In response, God changed Jacob’s name to Israel, meaning “let God prevail.” God then promised Israel that all the blessings that had been pronounced upon Abraham’s head would also be his.
19. "A New Normal," October 2020 closing remarks
  • I have wondered what I might say to conclude this conference that would send you forth with the optimism about the future that I know the Lord wants you to feel.
    We live in a glorious age, foreseen by prophets for centuries. This is the dispensation when no spiritual blessing will be withheld from the righteous. Despite the world’s commotion, the Lord would have us look forward to the future “with joyful anticipation.”
20. "Welcome Message," April 2021 opening remarks
  • Because of the Savior’s Atonement, His gospel provides an invitation to keep changing, growing, and becoming more pure. It is a gospel of hope, of healing, and of progress. Thus, the gospel is a message of joy!
21. "What We Are Learning and Will Never Forget," April 2021, general priesthood session
  • You may feel that there is still more you need to do to make your home truly a sanctuary of faith. If so, please do it! If you are married, counsel with your wife as your equal partner in this crucial work. There are few pursuits more important than this. Between now and the time the Lord comes again, we all need our homes to be places of serenity and security.
    Attitudes and actions that invite the Spirit will increase the holiness of your home. Equally certain is the fact that holiness will vanish if there is anything in your behavior or environment that offends the Holy Spirit, for then “the heavens withdraw themselves.”
  • The gospel of Jesus Christ is exactly what is needed in this confused, contentious, and weary world.
23. "COVID-19 and Temples," April 2021 closing remarks
  • I pray that your desire to worship and serve in the temple burns more brightly now than ever.
24. "Pure Truth, Pure Doctrine, and Pure Revelation," October 2021 opening remarks
  • There has never been a time in the history of the world when knowledge of our Savior is more personally vital and relevant to every human soul. Imagine how quickly the devastating conflicts throughout the world—and those in our individual lives—would be resolved if we all chose to follow Jesus Christ and heed His teachings.
  • ...as we keep our covenants, He endows us with His healing, strengthening power. And oh, how we will need His power in the days ahead.
  • The Lord has declared that despite today’s unprecedented challenges, those who build their foundations upon Jesus Christ, and have learned how to draw upon His power, need not succumb to the unique anxieties of this era.
26. "Make Time for the Lord," October 2021 closing remarks







2023-02-26

Fifty-Two Dresses


I didn't wear a dress #9 on the intended day, because church was CANCELED due to SO MUCH SNOW on March 5th.  It was a much-needed day of rest at home.

Dress # 8, no pockets, $4 at D.I.
Knox Rose, knee-length wraparound with spaghetti straps
GAP jean jacket to the rescue on this snowy day

Dress #7 with POCKETS--$8 at Savers
Another Reborn J dress, short sleeve, with pleats at the waist
Beautiful spring colors: mint, cream, lemon, and peach
Forever 21, long cream cardigan: $5 at Savers
Mollie's dress is from Cori! 
Brand: "Stitch District," long-sleeve and floor-length, with
plenty of ruffles.  GAP jean jacket Becca has had forever

Dress #7 WITH POCKETS, $6 at Savers
Brand: Reborn J, knee length, long sleeves
Jason Maxwell Rusty Orange cardigan
Mollie's Dress: Mimi+Daphne $8 at Savers (found by Cori)
(Mollie's favorite for playing the organ because it's wide)
Exhilaration Navy blue cardigan $4
Ricky Baker's dress: $4 bag of doll clothes at DI

2021-01-14

I Lost 100 Pounds Yesterday!

For real.

One hundred pounds of my own CLOTHES.  Stuff I have been hanging on to for decades (don't worry, I still have the oversized, 1981 Indiana Hoosiers championship t-shirt that will forever be my favorite sleepwear, much to Allen's chagrin).

This shirt was made when I was two.  I bought it for $10 from
my cousin Jared, because I loved it so much.  The t-shirt
brand is "Long Gone." Just like t-shirts that wear this well.

Not only did I get rid of half of my clothes from my closet and dresser--I also altered/fixed/sewed a sizeable portion of clothing that I have been meaning to alter/fix/sew some day.  

Some day is in the past!  That feels good.  And it also feels like I have two new pairs of jeans (I altered the flared legs and brought them up to current trends), two new sweaters (some quick hole repair), and a new button-down shirt (I took the extra buttons off the cuffs and sewed them where buttons were missing).

My closet: BEFORE

One hundred pounds (it was probably more) of clothes

I decided, at the beginning of the year, that I am tired of feeling guilty about jeans that no longer fit or shirts that are tight in the wrong places.  I have always loved a new year and a fresh start, but this year I want my goals to be a little more . . . mature.  I don't want to exercise so I can fit into those favorite jeans  again "some day."  I want to feel good about the stage I am in right now, even as I work to make changes or improvements.  

AFTER

Now, I open my closet and see fewer clothes, but know that all of them fit and feel good and bring me joy.  When I slim down, I can search for new favorite clothes--another activity that brings joy.

When I dropped a hundred pounds of clothes at the thrift store yesterday, I immediately packed on fifty pounds of books.  My sweet friend, Melanie, gave me the perfect gift for Christmas: a book by Anne Bogel entitled I'd Rather Be Reading (2020 Books, review #60).  Whew!  This collection of essays about books, reading, and readers made me fall in love with my favorite hobby all over again (I also subscribed to her podcast by the same title, and checked out her website, Modern Mrs. Darcy).  Then I passed that lovely book on to a new book-loving friend!  Can't wait to give some of these a try:

I had three of these books in my amazon wishlist already,
so it was awesome to find them on the cheap!

Books for Mollie (and myself, I admit)

Books for Calvin and for our children's home library in general

De-junking and organizing my laundry room cupboards is something that has been on my to-do list since the kids went back to school last Fall, and The Great Clothing Purge has given me the motivation I need to tackle that next.

Maybe. 

After all, there are a lot of books to read, blog posts to write, new recipes to try, board games to play, and garden vegetables and flowers to plan for 2021 . . . plus backpacking.  No more guilting myself about all the things I'm not doing--I want to enjoy what I am doing.

When I took the above picture of Calvin's books, I realized again how
much I love my book nook at the top of the stairs.  I feel happy every
time I walk upstairs and see my beautiful, colorful, young adult shelves.

2020-04-07

The "Sunny Seventh Ward" Youth Shine Bright

I have tried to stay in touch with the young women during quarantine. How did I ever survive in YW without my cell phone for 9 years? It is SO NICE to be able to contact each of the girls individually and collectively. And even nicer to see each other's faces and hear each other's voices!

I have made two videos so far. It's a lot of work getting everyone to send their pictures, videos, and texts, and then more work to edit and create a cohesive "narrative" . . . but it's so worth it when it all comes together. They need to see each other during this unique time!

Our young women don't have to gather together to strengthen each other in Christ. Here are some of our favorite moments from General Conference.




I included the young men in the first video I made (below).  We are all trying to stay busy and work on the Children and Youth program while we're quarantined.  


Both videos have fun endings, but the best part is just these amazing kids.  I am so lucky to get to associate with them and the light of Christ that they radiate.