Things that Never Happen

Snow never ceases to delight me.
Hot chocolate never makes me sad.
Never have Christmas without a tree?
This year that "never" came to be.

Loved ones are never too far away.
Carols never made us closer.
Childhood songs never seemed to say,
"Comfort family not here today."

Never forget to share of your light.
You never know who you will touch.
Never forget what happened that night.
Never will be a hope more bright.

Hats off to Rachael

I am at work.  I know, I should be working.  It's just been a terribly long day, with little work.  So I am in this little office, with little to do.  I talked to Cuauhtemoc during his breaks like 5 times today.  Heehe.  On other days like this I dream up choreography and listen to music, make plans and file my heart away.  But today, I just didn't have the notion to do so.  I started reading off my blog list and read Rachael's.  Bless her heart.  Really- Rachael your blog just made me happy!  We should be in love with life.  I should be in love with the fact that I can be blessed with a job while we get settled here. I have been prepared to help this company out, even though I never knew that would be happening. So Rachael this is Cuauhtemoc's and my love list:


1- Eating ice cream together, right out of the container.
2- Having a bed.
3- Pretending to speak Italian in Spanish.
4- Watching the news while cuddling - how romantic.
5- Reading from Proverbs once a day.
6- Helping friends just because we think they are our family.
7- Cooking accidents - Megan, I can't imagine what it would have been like if we hadn't cooked together last year.
8- Sleeping in on Saturdays.
9- Serving with ALL our heart, might, mind, and strength even when I feel like I fall short.
10- Making plans - all sorts: babies, travel, school, career, serving missions, you name it.

So here's to Rachael and loving life!

Day 49

Time is so interesting, we have a way of measuring and yet it still never makes sense. Cuauhtemoc and I have been married almost two months. 7 weeks. 49 days. Really? We met nearly one year ago. We are amazed at the things we have done in such a short time.
We had a most enjoyable honeymoon in Bear Lake! We even went to Paris...Idaho. We brought back antiques that we bought as souvenirs. Love it there!
Now we are preparing to say good bye to my sister as she heads off to new adventures in Italy. Yes, I said Italy. God will keep her safe and guide her steps. <3

Joy

I just ate a Dove chocolate. On the wrapper it is written, "Joy is found in the smallest of moments. Like now!" - Ashley, Sumter SC. I love that a simple reminder just came to me with chocolate attached!

As I contemplated the things of that moment, with the purpose of finding joy, there were many happy sights. I saw a young woman modestly and attractively dressed, hair combed with a flower pinned above her ear. What joy to know that she values herself as a daughter of God. I saw two men kindly discussing in the hallway. What joy to know that they value each others opinions and care for one another. The roof here is glass and the sun is shining, what joy to know that I can look forward for sunny days and warmth.

Joy really is found in the smallest moments and the simplest things because God loves us. What joy to know that.

What Think Ye of Christ?

Christ, speaking to the Pharisees, asked, "What think ye of Christ? whose son is he?" (Matthew 22:42)

In essence, Christ is asking, "Do you know me?" In the intercessory prayer found in John 17. He teaches why it is important to know Him. "And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent." (John 17:3)

Everything Christ is has everything to do with the Father. Heavenly Father loves His children. Christ is His Only Begotten Son. Christ loves Heavenly Father. Christ loves His children. He teaches the Father's children to love the Father. His sacrifice was made with the purpose of bringing us back to our Father.

In this life we have the opportunity to come to know them, the Father and the Son. As we do so, it will become natural for us to share with others. They are our brothers and sisters. Christ said, in Luke 22:31-32, "Behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren."

It is my desire to learn of Christ, come to know Him and by Him, my Father. The more we reach out to strengthen our brethren, the more He will reveal Himself to us. In Doctrine and Covenants 88:67-68 we are told, "And if your eye be single to my glory, your whole bodies shall be filled with light, and there shall be no darkness in you; and that body which is filled with light comprehendeth all things. Therefore, sanctify yourselves that your minds become single to God, and the days will come that you shall see him; for he will unveil his face unto you, and it shall be in his own time, and in his own way, and according to his own will."

The glory of the Father is "to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man." (Moses 1:39) Christ is the means by which that can happen. It is our opportunity to participate in Salvation, be it our own or that of our brothers and sisters.

Conference

Semiannually The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints holds a general conference broadcast to television and radio. It is also printed in the Church's magazine "The Ensign." It is available for all.

This Conference has been quite an experience for me. O the greatness of Motherhood! Is there a greater calling in life? I am excited to become a mother. I want to raise my children in righteousness. I want to send an army of good people into the world. I want to teach my children to be good. I expect them to teach their friends and influence others for good. I want them to serve missions and think as missionaries every day.

Mothers and fathers have an amazing opportunity to shape the lives of young people, to teach them truth and surround them with light. Many see much darkness in the world, parents can teach their children to chase it away with light and goodness.

I am glad to have part in this glorious work of Motherhood. It is central to the plan of happiness. I am so glad that God teaches us through His beloved prophet and apostles.

Preparing for Eternity

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

Today Sister Susan Easton Black spoke at the Brigham Young University-Idaho Devotional. She taught about the last week of Christ's mortal life. She told of the symbolic events that fulfilled prophecies and brought about the gospel declared in the pre-mortal councils of heaven.

I am so glad that I know of the mission and life of Jesus Christ and its significance. This life is one of eternal value, our potential goes far beyond the graves of this earth. We are to become as Jesus Christ is. We are to return to the presence of our God and Father having gained experience and been cleansed by Christ, our Savior.

We are to prepare for eternity in this life that we can only know as finite. If the thought has never crossed your mind that this life is only a small time away from celestial worlds and from God, please take time to think about it. If you have never wondered why things are the way they are or if there is any purpose to our existence, try to imagine a Father of godly glory who loves you. If you can picture Him, imagine that you can talk to Him. What would you say? What questions would you have? Do you believe that He would answer if you spoke to Him?

I know that He lives. I am His daughter and my potential is that of divinity. I speak with Him and know that He hears me. He has answered me, guided me, counseled me. I love Him.

Friendship

Last night there was a CES Fireside given by Elder Rasband of the Presidency of the Seventy. He talked about mentors and friendship. There are those people who come into our lives for moments, those who remain an active part, and those whom we always feel a part of no matter how often they come in and out of contact with us.

I was very moved by his comments as I have found myself in much reflection on this very subject. Good friends have helped me become who I am. I constantly marvel at the goodness that makes up their lives. Their quiet example has often invited me to search within myself: what is my focus? I can answer Jesus Christ, but I often have to ask how I can bring Him into a much clearer focus.

Many resources are available for this purpose. Romans 15:4 says, "For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope." Hope in what? Jesus Christ. The scriptures are one way for us to learn more about Him, a way to help us see Him better, understand Him better, and in the end know Him completely.

Another source is the examples of parents, mentors, and good friends. I am very blessed by them every day.

Bridle Your Passions

Elder Bruce C. Hafen of the First Quorum of the Seventy, and his wife, spoke at the BYU-Idaho devotional today. Their message was concerning passion, how does it fit within the gospel. He said that passion is good, a godly attribute. Passions are not to be distinguished, they are to be fulfilled. Heavenly Father wants to show us how to do that. We cannot ignore them, nor can we give them full control, we must master them.

They talked about the added spirit and power that comes when a horse is broken correctly. It is not breaking the spirit of the animal, it is teaching it to have added control. This comes from time spent with the master, the trainer, from coming to recognize his voice, and intentions.

Likewise, our passions, when refined by time spent with our Master, can be an avenue to deeper understanding of eternal truths. Alma 38:12 says, "Use boldness, but not overbearance; and also see that ye bridle all your passions, that ye may be filled with love; see that ye refrain from idleness."

I know that learning to control my passions has brought added joy to my life. I am still learning to fully rely on the Lord to teach me proper use of emotions and desires. He is truly meek, He has truly mastered His passions and will show us how to do the same.

Applicable Truths

Doctrine and Covenants 88:78-80
"Teach ye diligently and my grace shall attend you, that you may be instructed more perfectly in theory, in principle, in doctrine, in the law of the gospel, in all things that pertain unto the kingdom of God, that are expedient for you to understand; Of things both in heaven and in the earth, and under the earth; things which have been, things which are, things which must shortly come to pass; things which are at home, things which are abroad; the wars and the perplexities of the nations, and the judgments which are on the land; and a knowledge also of countries and of kingdoms- That ye may be prepared in all things when I shall send you again to magnify the calling whereunto I have called you, and the mission with which I have commissioned you."

I recently did a group project for which we presented a modern dance class. Our topic of choice was Fall and Recovery, a philosophy of Doris Humphrey. Part of our assignment was to relate this topic to various other aspects of life. We chose the gospel of Jesus Christ, mental health, and physics.

I researched physics, which I have never formally studied. I am amazed at the correlations I discovered. As I studied gravitational potential energy, I found symbols of the constant pull of adversity in this life. Until we learn to change the velocity of our descent, we often receive pains and bruises, putting our bodies at risk for injury each time we 'crash' into the floor. This is much like sin and negativity.

A change in velocity implies a change in the rate of motion and in direction. In the Bible Dictionary from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, repentance is described as "a change of mind, i.e., a fresh view about God, about oneself, and about the world."

On this earth, I will never be able to separate myself from the constancy of gravity, however, I can definitely learn to avoid the painful impact that comes from lack of control. Without knowing how to soften to the floor or how to slow the rate of descent, I would only continue to hurt and destroy my body. The same is true about the gospel of Jesus Christ, without knowing Him, truly understanding His power to change me, I would only continue in sin, destroying my soul. The adversary will never stop pushing for me to fall, but through the Atonement of Jesus Christ I can change and learn to avoid the detrimental effects of sin.

I believe that we are to learn as much as possible about the world around us because it can teach us truth about God and our divine purposes here on earth.

Just Listening

Women of great worth sit, discussing how they have changed. They talk of on-line hobbies, such as facebooking, that they have decided to quit or limit use. Reasons? "I was doing nothing to help society, just spending too much time on something that doesn't really matter." Other reasons included improving relationships with family or those who make up their daily contacts.
I am impressed by their desire to change something that the world would see as unimportant, such a small detail that in the end will make a great difference in their lives, the lives of their family members, and all those who take time to notice what is different about these wonderful women.