Are you Forgotten?

I spent a good chunk of my growing up life attending church and going to activities that were planned for my edification and development. Somewhere along the lines I sort of lost it all. I stopped believing. I didn't know if any of it was true. I turned away from the Lord. I no longer went to the activities that were planned for my edification and development, I no longer went to church. I began to feel forgotten and abandoned. I didn't have the sense of care that came with being close to my Father in Heaven. So did the Lord turn away from or forget me? No! I can now look back on my life even during the time when I wasn't doing all the the Lord wanted me to do where he was still leading me by the hand and bringing me back. "The Lord uses a scale very different from the world’s to weigh the worth of a soul. . .At times we may even feel insignificant, invisible, alone, or forgotten. But always remember—you matter to Him!. . .God sees you not only as a mortal being on a small planet who lives for a brief season—He sees you as His child. He sees you as the being you are capable and designed to become. He wants you to know that you matter to Him" (Dieter F. Uchtdorf).

During this time of my life I made a major move on a whim. A friend called me up and said why don't you move over here? I said if I can transfer I will. I was able to so I moved. Where before I had NO direction in my life I began to move forward! I went to college because my friend lived in a college town and I thought well I'm here I might as well go. Then I got active in church again. The Lord knew exactly where I needed to be and who I needed to be around. The Lord had not forgotten me as much as I felt abandoned. He was literally picking me up and placing me lovingly where I needed to be. I know that he has a great plan for my life and it is much easier for me to fulfill it when I am following him. "The Lord doesn’t care at all if we spend our days working in marble halls or stable stalls. He knows where we are, no matter how humble our circumstances. He will use—in His own way and for His holy purposes—those who incline their hearts to Him" (Dieter F. Uchtdorf).

Warmth of a Blanket

What is it about a blanket? They are so soft and comforting there are times when all you want to do is snuggle up with a blanket and forget the world outside. It just makes us feel better. It warms us body and soul to be engulfed in something so wonderful. When we are sick a warm blanket can make the difference in healing. Imagine a cold, drafty house, on a cold night in January. Now imagine the most amazing blanket: big, warm, soft. How important does that blanket become? A blanket is more than just something we put on our bed.

As I was growing up, I can remember my mom telling me a blanket is like the Holy Ghost. It speaks in soft tones. It comforts us when things go wrong. It warms our bodies and souls as it testifies of truth. The Holy Ghost can most definitely make the difference in healing, if we will only listen. Remember our imaginings? Think of the world these days what a cold, harsh, lonely place it can be. Think of the Holy Ghost how it can comfort us and bring us peace. The Holy Ghost is our blanket in this cold world we call home. What a wonderful blessing that we are able to have him as our constant companion. How can we earn his companion ship? I think Moroni Explains it quite well "Because of meekness and lowliness of heart cometh the visitation of the Holy Ghost, which Comforter filleth with hope and perfect love, which love endureth by diligence unto prayer, until the end shall come, when all the saints shall dwell with God." He is the Comforter. As the warmth of a blanket can quiet a crying child, the whisperings of the Spirit can calm our fears, hush the nagging worries of our life, and comfort us when we grieve. I would invite you to live a life where the Holy Ghost can live with you at all times.

Time

Time is one of the most precious gifts that we are given. We think of it so resolutely, time has boundaries and our life is only filled with so much time. Each period in our life has only so much time. You can only be a child for so long. How often are we wishing that we could be out of a phase of life sooner. When I was in college I loved it, that was one my favorite times of life. So many friends and good times but I felt very done with school and wanted to finish, so I set about to finish my degree with haste. Now that I am done with it I miss that time of my life. I look back and think how could I have made more of the time I had.

I am right now faced with the impending end to my mission, and have lately been reflecting on what I could do to make the very most of the time that I have left. The months that I have been here seem to fly by and sometimes it is hard to remember the details. But, have I done all that I could in this phase of my life? Do each of us put forward the effort that will fill us with the knowledge that we have done all we can? Or are we left with regrets? Charles Darwin said "A man who dares to waste one hour of life has not discovered the value of life."

"To live more fully each hour and to glean the most from each day is wisdom. How unwise we are to waste our todays when they determine the significance of our tomorrows. We should wisely live a day at a time because that is all we have. . . the message is loud and clear. If we work, serve, improve now—each hour, each day will lead us onward and upward to a significant tomorrow in his paths. Today is the time for decision. Now is the time for action. Believe me when I tell you God is well pleased when he sees us using our time wisely" (Marvin J. Ashton ). So what are we waiting for? Get up and get moving time is moving forward let's move with it.

Sea Glass

A while I was given a piece of sea glass. Now for those of you that have never heard of this before let me describe it. It is pieces of glass found on beaches that has been tumbled and smoothed by the waves, water and sand, creating smooth, frosted pieces of glass. Now I put my small piece of glass in my jewelry box and thinking oh that is neat but what am I going to do with that. Now a lot of people are like me others however, spend hours of time combing the beaches searching for these small pieces of glass. What would anyone want with an old piece of glass?

Think about the journey that this piece of glass has been on. It began long ago in a bottle making factory. It was then filled with some liquid defining it's existence.It didn't get to choose that life it merely had to live it. It was put on the shelf of a store where it was eventually bought and its contents were drank. After it had been emptied the bottle is tossed aside.

This is when that simple bottle becomes something of value. It doesn't come over night but over years. It is tossed in the sea and waves unsure of it's eventual end. It comes to shore and is roughly sanded. If it is taken to soon it still has rough edges. The most beautiful and prized pieces of sea glass are completely smooth; they have spent the most TIME in the uncomfortable folds of the sea and sand.

We are in the waves and the sands of life we have not yet come out smooth, that takes time. "Be assured that there is a safe harbor. You can find peace amidst the storms that threaten you. Your Heavenly Father—who knows when even a sparrow falls—knows of your heartache and suffering. He loves you and wants the best for you. Never doubt this" (Joseph B. Wirthlin). That is why our Heavenly Father has lovingly let us be tossed about so that we can become smooth.  We were given situations we did not get to chose, but we unlike that bottle get to make a choice about our reaction. We often think that the waves and sands of life are to much to bare. Think of a small piece of glass and how fragile it is. I'm not sure how the glass did it but I know that if we will but turn to our Father in Heaven the waves and sands of life will not seem so harsh. "Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light" (Matt 11:29-30).

Be Still

How often do we see people walking around with those little buds in their ears, rocking out to the latest tunes? It reminds me of when I was in college and seeing all the people on the bus with there ear-buds in. Now I see people running together and not talking but listening to their separate music. Who of us has put on music to relax or think? I know I have. I even put on music to study. But it is only on very rare occasions that I spend time in just quite peaceful thought? Now don't get me wrong, I love music it seems a little strange to me to not have music playing as I am driving. Perhaps however, we need to take time to simply be still, and listen.

When I was in college I can remember a day where life just felt overwhelming. I had just heard that my dad had kidney cancer and I was struggling with the idea of mortality. After about a day of freaking out and crying my eyes out, I decided that I would spend some time and just talk to God about it. I turned off the music and sat on the floor of my bedroom. I said a prayer, which consisted of very little, and then just sat. As the stillness and the quiet overcame I was able to listen to the spirit and have a better understanding of what the Lord had for me to hear. I was able to understand that no matter what happened that everything would be okay, that my dad would be taken care of even if that meant in heaven. The Lord has said "Be still, and know that I am God" (Psalms 46:10).  I believe that if we take the time to be still and listen to the Lord we will be able to truly know that he is God and is looking out for us and our needs.

Watermelon Snow

We are always taught not to eat colored snow but have you ever seen pink snow? Well here in Townsend there is a mountain familiarly termed Baldy. It is a high peek that continues to have snow, left over from the winter, into the summer months. Because of the height of the peek there is higher Ultra Violet rays. Now this is only important because in order to protect itself an organism that lives in the snow produces a red hue and turns the snow pink. Now I know that right now your mind is blown! But it gets better not only does this snow look pink but it smells and tastes like watermelon. Thus the name watermelon snow. Now when I heard this for the first time I couldn't even believe what I was hearing. But I have come to realize that we need to expect the unexpected, or believe in miracles. A miracle is an extraordinary event caused by the power of God.

Many miracles have been performed though out history. We see the things that the prophets did. Moses, he parted the Red Sea, there was manna for the Israelites, Noah built an ark, Daniel was saved from the lions and many more. There is of course the many miracles that Christ performed throughout his life, beginning with turning water into wine and ending with his Resurrection.

However many today do not believe that miracles still happen. Just look at the brilliantly pink snow and tell me that is not  "an extraordinary event caused by the power of God." So if God is working in these small ways to show that he is still there and still working with us then why would the greater miracles have ceased? "Wherefore, my beloved brethren, have miracles ceased because Christ hath ascended into heaven, and hath sat down on the right hand of God . . . Behold I say unto you, Nay; neither have angels ceased to minister unto the children of men" (Moroni 7:27, 29).

The Lord has again reached out to his children in love and has revealed the fullness of his Gospel in a miraculous way. He appeared to a young boy who had a simple question. A young boy with enough faith to go forth and do what the Lord asked of him despite the difficulties that it would bring to his life. The Lord has not ceased to be a "God of miracles." We must have faith to see the miracles in our life. Do you believe that there could be watermelon snow? Then why not greater miracles?

The Penny

Everyone has found a penny on the side of the road. Well what does that make you think of? Before yesterday I would always think of the little poem "find a penny pick it up all day long you'll have good luck." Well yesterday I heard this amazing story. 

Several years ago, a man and his wife were invited to spend the weekend at his employer’s home. The boss was very wealthy. He was quite generous as a host, and took them to one of the finest restaurants.As the three of them were about to enter this exclusive restaurant, the boss was walking slightly ahead of them. He stopped suddenly, looking down at the pavement for a long, silent moment. The wife wondered if she was supposed to pass him. There was nothing on the ground except a single darkened penny that someone had dropped. Still silent, the man reached down and picked up the penny. He held it up and smiled, then put it in his pocket as if he had found a great treasure. How absurd! Thought the wife. What need did this man have for a single penny? Why would he even take the time to stop and pick it up? Throughout dinner, the entire scene nagged at her. Finally, she could stand it no longer. She causally mentioned that her daughter once had a coin collection, and asked if the penny he had found had been of some value. A smile crept across the man’s face as he reached into his pocket for the penny and held it out for her to see. She had seen many pennies before! What was the point of this?

“Look at it.” He said. “Read what it says”
She read the words “United States of America.”

“No, not that; read further.”

“One cent?”
“No, keep reading.”

“In God we Trust?”
“Yes!”
“And?”

“And if I trust in God, the name of God is holy, even on a coin. Whenever I find a coin I see that inscription. It is written on every single United States coin, but we never seem to notice it! God drops a message right in front of me telling me to trust Him? Who am I to pass it by? When I see a coin, I pray, I stop to see if my trust IS in God at that moment. I pick the coin up as a response to God; that I do trust in Him. For a short time, at least, I cherish it as if it were gold. I think it is God’s way of starting a conversation with me. God is patient and pennies are plentiful!"

So my new challenge for you is to put your trust in the Lord find those pennies and see how much the Lord is blessing you.

Water It!

Remember just a few weeks ago when I was talking about all the rain that we were getting? Well it has been hot for about a month now and the farmers, and the lawns are beginning to suffer. We were doing some service and in comes the husband conversationally he says I don't know what is wrong with my lawn I have all of these brown spots. My first thought was well are you watering it? His response to that was "well we've had so much rain." Well sure, but when the days have been hot since then and you are seeing the dry patches i think it might be time to water again. Now in stark contrast, the family that we live with were watering even when it was pouring down rain.

The Lord has said that we must drink from His waters for He is the living waters. “Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst” (John 4:14). Can we simply take a sip from the waters and walk away? I don't think so. I believe that we need that consistent flow, just as the grass does. The Savior has the well and we have the cup, IF we choose to come to Him he will keep that cup full. If we choose to walk away from the well we can no longer gain access to that water. We must pair the love and mercy of the Lord with out own willingness to come unto Him and do as He asks.

Are You Protected?

So we went up to Huckleberry Pass for the fourth of July and we had a great time! We had a snow ball fight in July, we took tons of pictures, saw some sweet sights and without even noticing I got a whopper of a sunburn. It was a pretty warm day but with all the fun we were having I hardly even noticed it. Even when we got home I didn't feel like I was all that burned. I woke up the next day and my face hurt. I was thinking about how subtly it all happened and how if only I had remembered to put on sunscreen that morning I would have been fine.

Our lives are the same way, Satan comes into our lives in subtle ways and we don't even notice it till it is too late. Just like the protection that sunscreen would have afforded me, we have the armor of God to protect us. We need to put on the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of the preparation of the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit. When we do this we become protected as it says in Ephesians "Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil." If only I had put on that sunscreen I could have stood against the wiles of the sun. Don't get burned by the "fiery darts of the wicked" put on the whole armor of God.

Wise Wildlife

When I was growing up we had a giant old walnut tree in our backyard My brothers and I used to go out and pick the unripe walnuts off the tree. We had to get them early or the birds and squirrels would get to them first. So when they were still green we would pull them off the tree. Once we had a nice little cache of walnuts we would tear into them trying to get to the precious center of the nut. We always hoped to find that nut. Most of the time we were picking way too early and we were getting nothing but green fingers for a week. So we began to let them stay longer on the trees, however the wildlife would then get to the nuts before we would. I never understood why they would want that bitter green husk of a nut but they were always gone before they were ripe.

Just the other day I was told that you can pick walnuts when they are green and save them till the green shell starts to come off. Then within is a ripe walnut. Imagine my surprise when I realized that those crafty little critters knew what they were doing. Sometimes we expect to get things in the time that we are looking for them not in the timing that the Lord has for us. "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven" (Ecclesiastes 3:1). If we exercise a bit of patience perhaps the outcome will be to our benefit.

I believe that the Lord knows what he is doing even if it may be hard. If as a child I had merely picked the green nuts and stored them away for a time when they would be ripe, we could have had a barrel of walnuts.