Infinite Power of Hope

To be or Not to be . . . Line!

So I guess a few things you should know about me first. I grew up in a VERY theatrical family. Both my parents got Degrees in theater and I also have a sister and a brother that have gone into some type of theater as their career. So I grew up doing theater all the time. I remember my first time in a play; I was 5 and I played Titania in I an extremely abridged version of  A Midsummer Night's Dream. I have found that being in a play is a road-map for how we learn. You start by getting a part and a script. Most people highlight the lines that are theirs so that they don't step on someone's part. Next you practice, you go to rehearsals, you go over your lines with the other actors, you listen

to the director and go where they are telling you to go (get your blocking). You write it all down so that you don't forget it. But there comes a time where you have to put down the script. You cannot rely on it forever! It comes in steps, the first week without the script their is someone following along with the script and if you happen to not remember your line you can call out LINE! and they will prompt you with the first few words of the line or the whole line if you need it. As you go though that you can see where you are making mistakes and practice those parts on your own. Then it goes a step deeper, you can no longer call for a line. You have to remember your blocking, your lines, when you come on stage. What would happen if you got to keep that script in hand until the day before the performances? Would you know your part? or would you still be relying on the script?

This is not just the way we learn in theater but in life it is the way that God set up. It is an eternal way of learning. In 2 Nephi 28:30 the Lord describes this, "For behold, thus saith the Lord God: I will give unto the children of men line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little." We cannot learn all at once, we must work a step at a time to understand. Just like in theatre we must put down the script. In life perhaps that is moving away from home and out on our own. If we have practiced, read scriptures, gone to church, or prayed, we will be prepared and know what we are to do. Perhaps on occation we may have to call LINE! to get back on the right track. Others may belive that they are past that stage in life. They think they can no longer or no longer need to call for a line. I however believe that this time does not comes for any of us. There is always a point that you can call out to the Lord and he will help you get back on the right track. Perhaps the need to no longer call for a line comes after this life when our actions are set, perhaps not. Now however, we are still in the practice part of life the performance will come later. My hope is that we all remember that this life is a time of learning and growth, we are in the process of becoming. We will always get the help that we call out for. I know that Christ is always there for me that he knows where I am and what I am going through. I know that he can joy and sorrow with me and that he can "lift up the hands that hang down" (Heb 12:12).

Rain

It has been raining a lot here in Townsend, MT and everyone keeps asking us if we can make it stop. While that is not with in my power it is within the Lords. So with so many people praying for the rain to stop, why hasn't it yet? In answer to that question I would like to share with you an experience I had years ago, that pertains to this very issue. I grew up in Western Washington where it rains about half the year. That amounts to a lot of days where it was raining. I of course got used to it, that was just the norm. There were still those days, however, after 4 weeks straight of rain where I just couldn't stand it anymore. This experience takes place on one of those days. 

It had been raining for what seemed like an eternity. I felt like I might never get dry again. I was on the way home from a meeting and was praying for the rain to stop. I was telling the Lord all the reasons why I thought it was a good idea for the rains to cease. To my mind came the journey of a single drop of rain. I watched as that drop fell from the sky onto the field below. I saw it seep into

the ground and the growing plants draw it up to sustain life. Those plants were then cut and stored and eventually became the wheat that we consistently rely on. I then saw hands kneading bread, then slicing and giving it to a child. As tears ran down my cheeks i began to understand. I know this seem like an odd event to watch by in my minds eye it was so clear. I had always lived in rain but until that moment I had never appreciated how vital it truly is. So now, I ask a new question, what if God just did everything that everyone prayed for without respect for our true needs? We need the rain it is the life blood of this earth without it we would have no food. Famines have often resulted from a lack of water. 

So if you feel like sometimes your prayers are not being answered perhaps the Lord has a better idea of what you need and is blessing you with that for the time being. Know, however, that your prayers will be answered just not always when or how you might think they are 

supposed to be. The rain did stop my prayer was answered it just took a few days. Christ is always our best example. "He went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt" (Matt 26:39). Let us take His example and consistently seek the will of the Lord in our prayers that we may be ever more blessed.

Moments That Matter Most

What are the things that matter most to you? Do you spend enough time doing those things? The things that matter most to our Heavenly Father is US can we say the same about him or even about our families? As you watch this video make a list of goals that will help you focus on the most important things in life. Then, do those things.

Effects of Music

I have always loved music in fact I loved it so much that is what I got my degree in when I went to college. Music has so much impact on us that we don't even recognize. As we listen to a fast paced song our heart rate rises. As we listen to sad song our mood changes. It is those almost unnoticed things that make music such a joy! I love listening to happy music when I am down in the dumps to help me pull myself out of it and fast music when I work out because then my workout doesn't seem so hard. The Lord also loves music! Why would we have so much of it if he didn't? "For my soul delighteth in the song of the heart; yea, the song of the righteous is a prayer unto me, and it shall be answered with a blessing upon their heads" (D&C 25:12). But just like with the rest of our lives we must focus on the good. There is bad music out there that brings you down and harms your soul. It comes through the music's language, lyrics, melody (or lack there of), style and tempo. I know that as we put forth effort to listen to only uplifting and good music the spirit will have better access to us and we will be better able to listen to the still small voice that is trying to reach us. In an effort to help in this process I have included one of my favorite songs. This is just one of many different types of music that are good.

I Am a Child of God

"Every one of us has potential we can scarcely imagine . . . a gift from our loving and eternal Heavenly Father . . . there is within each of us a divine spark of greatness" Elder Wirthlin

Tire Swings, Good Idea or Bad Idea?

Have you ever thought about the idea of a tire swing? We had one hanging from the walnut tree out back and we would spin and spin on it till it made us sick. It was so much fun. I look back on that and wonder how I ever found that fun. But I did, so much so that as soon as my stomach had settled back down I would get on it again. Is that the way we face some of the issues in our life? Addictions can be one of the worst things to overcome. We think that what we are doing is fun, calming, not bad for us, or exhilarating! Perhaps for a moment it is. Satan draws us away making us believe that this moment is worth the later sorrow, pain, and guilt. Life however, cannot subsist on

momentary happiness. So how do we keep ourselves from climbing back onto that tire swing? We turn to the thing that will give us lasting happiness. As we understand better what our Heavenly Father expects of us we will want to change to live our lives in better harmony with his teachings. We must understand that Christ has the ability and desire to take these things from us, it is up to us to give them over to him. We do this through prayer, we have to give up our pride and be completely humble willing to give the Lord your heart. It takes one day at a time.


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