It's a Faith Based Work

I had a chance to hear Sister Beck speak a couple of weeks ago.  What a great experience.  A neighboring stake invited her to come and they invited us along with another stake or two.  It was a larger group - but, still small enough to seem personable.

She shared a brief explanation of the purpose of Relief Society, spoke lovingly of her two counselors and how they are filling their mission here on earth (that is specific to them) and bore her testimony.  She then opened it up to question and answers.  Wow!  It seemed quite brave to me.  That means you get to deal wisely with any topic that could be thrown your way - while 'on your feet'.  Apparently, she was confident the Spirit would be there.

There were questions about the curriculum, visiting teaching, eternal companions, abuse, scripture study, being single, 'wayward' children, one about 'how do you do it all?' and more.   

Here are some lessons taught: 

1.  Read from the scriptures daily.

2.  It is your right/responsibility to live the female half of the plan.

3.  It doesn't work out on paper.  Turn your life over to Christ and miracles will happen.

4.  We are never alone.  We have a sisterhood, our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ with us.

5.  Taylor your service to the individual/s involved.

6.  Love your spouse and work together.

7.  Motherhood is an eternal calling given to all women.

8.  We all have a mission here on earth.

9.  We all have access to prophets.

10.  Teach children the meaning behind the action.

11.  Pray.

12.  Be the strong link in your family.

13.  Use the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Favorite quote:  "Children are welcome in an LDS home because we know what to do with them."

It was interesting to me how many times the message came out - 'It's a faith based work.'.  We need to have faith in everything we do.  Each scenario will be different - depending on who is involved. The main idea to grasp is that Heavenly Father will taylor what we need to us.  We are able to get answers for our specific questions and concerns.

Off to an odd start

I wasn't quite sure what to kind of post to do first...so, decided to go with an everyday thing.  I read a book to one of my children this morning that brought tears to my eyes.  It's titled: 'The Impossible Patriotism Project' by Linda Skeers/pictures by Ard Hoyt.  It's about a boy (elementary school) whose class is assigned to do a 'patriotism project'.  He's not sure what to do and talks with his other classmates to get ideas. There's are wide range of ideas and projects. They seem to work well for the other students, but this boy can't quite figure it out - he wishes his Dad would be able to come to the Parent Night where the children will show their work.  He wishes his Dad were there to at least help him with an idea. Then...the idea comes.  He brings a poster to the Parent Night where he and his Mother are looking at all of the different projects. Before long, there is a group gathered around this boy's desk.  He did a poster of his father - who is far away fighting for his country to show how much he loves it, to fight for freedom and help keep the freedoms all citizens enjoy. Obviously, everyone is touched - several of the students want to send the items they made to the father who is far away.

I loved the reminder that we have so many wonderful freedoms.  The news isn't really that great around us.  There is much going on.  There are also many people who have given up hope on our country.  This book was a reminder that there is hope - we have families living around us that sacrifice so much for us (and we need to recognize/show gratitude for that) - we need to be patriotic in our own lives by remembering what we do have and that even though times might seem a little bleak...there is hope.