12.11.2011

A little out of wack!

I saw this tree the other day and thought that it looked a little lop-sided.  As you can see, the tree started to grow very close to the house.  They continue to let it grow away from the house but now the poor tree is lop-sided.  This won't work forever.  Because as the tree continues to grow away from the house, the roots are going to be pulled on.  It is becoming a very unstable tree. 
This can be like our lives.  It is wonderful to be good in one area, but then the other areas won't be given a chance to grow.  If we focus only on our spiritual minds, or physical minds will decay, and visa versa.  We can't be strong in one area without the other areas suffering.  This is an important lesson that we learn here in this life.  God instructs us many times through the scriptures to "Organize yourselves."  (D&C 88:119)  An apostle of the Lord spoke of 4 simple things that we can do to organize ourselves.

Elder M. Russell Ballard said

"First, think about your life and set your priorities. Find some quiet time regularly to think deeply about where you are going and what you will need to do to get there. Jesus, our exemplar, often “withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed” (Luke 5:16). We need to do the same thing occasionally to rejuvenate ourselves spiritually as the Savior did. Write down the tasks you would like to accomplish each day. Keep foremost in mind the sacred covenants you have made with the Lord as you write down your daily schedules.
Second, set short-term goals that you can reach. Set goals that are well balanced—not too many nor too few, and not too high nor too low. Write down your attainable goals and work on them according to their importance. Pray for divine guidance in your goal setting.
Third, everyone faces financial challenges in life. Through wise budgeting, control your real needs and measure them carefully against your many wants in life. Far too many individuals and families have incurred too much debt. Be careful of the many attractive offers to borrow money. It is much easier to borrow money than it is to pay it back. There are no shortcuts to financial security. There are no get-rich-quick schemes that work. Perhaps none need the principle of balance in their lives more than those who are driven toward accumulating “things” in this world.
Fourth, stay close to your spouse, children, relatives, and friends. They will help you keep a balance in your life. In a recent study by the Church, adults in the United States were asked to identify a time when they were very happy and to describe the experience. They were also asked to describe a time when they were very unhappy. For most people, one thing that had made them the most happy or the most sad was their personal relationships with others. Much less important were their personal health, employment, money, and other material things. Build relationships with your family and friends through open and honest communication."
I Know and can promise you that if you are feeling out of balance and are looking for something that will help, these 4 steps will help you overcome and you will be able to stand tall and will be balanced once again.  

12.04.2011

SPRINKLES!

   
So, I don't know why, but I love sprinkles.  They are so good to me.  But the other day I sat there pondering about why I like sprinkles so much and I still don't have an answer.  But there are two types of sprinkles in the world: those that are alright, and those that are the best.    

 The alright ones are the little dot ones.
They are good, and they are fun, but they don't 
have the full flavor the other type does.
                                               

The stick kind, or the shaped ones are the best.  
 They have the whole taste! 
 They have the full effect of the joy that should 
come from eating sprinkles.

                                                      


This is like the gospel.  Before the Gospel was restored to the earth through the Prophet Joseph Smith, the people on the earth had the dot sprinkles.  They had a piece of the joy, a piece of the happiness.  But the full happiness was not known on the earth yet.  Well, I have some good news!!  We don't have to settle for the dot sprinkles anymore.  The "stick sprinkles," or Gospel, has been restored and brought back to the earth.  We don't have to only enjoy a bit of the joy and happiness we are suppose to experience in this life; we get to enjoy the entire package of joy for this life through living the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Joseph Smith did see God the Father and Jesus Christ and was able to restore the truth to the earth once again.  I am so grateful for this knowledge.  You too can enjoy the happiness that can come from eating the best "sprinkles"!!

11.29.2011

"God Counts Every Tear"

I have listened to this song a lot lately and love the words in blue and wanted to share the song with you all.  It is called "God Counts Every Tear,"  and is written by Janice Kapp Perry.


1. He hears the cries of the suff’ring
     Who cannot find relief.
    He sees the tears of the dying
    Who pray for their release.
   He hears the cries of the poor man
     Whose troubles never cease.
     He sees the tears of the rich man
     Who cannot purchase peace

      His hand is over all things
      His love is pure and clear
      His son was slain for all men
     God counts every tear.

2  He hears the cries of the aged
   Who languish all alone
   He sees the tears of the children
   Whose future is unknown
   He hears the pray’rs of the sinner
   Who beg him to forgive.
   He hears the cries of the unborn
   Who wand a chance to live.

3  He hears the cries of the nations
   He feels the pain of war.
   He walks with us through sorrow
   When we can bear no more
   He’s there to heal and bless us
   And he could right all wrongs
   But will remove no struggle
   Designed to make us strong.
      God watches over every one
      He gives us strength to overcome.
     Through all our trials He is near
      God counts every tear.


God is there, and he will help us.  If he can't take away a trial, he can help us through them.

11.27.2011

God knows us!

Sometimes it may not feel like it, but through the good and bad, God does know us.  He knows what we are going through.  I promise that through prayer we will be given strength to make it through ALL of our hard times!!


Out of Place


The other day we were at our church and I had to go to the bathroom.  So I went into the bathroom and look what I found on the toliet, chillin'!
 







That is what you are seeing, a frog!! 











Now he does not belong in a toliet or in a bathroom for that matter.  He was a bit out of place.
Throughout life we get the feeling that we do not belong to this world.  We feel a little out of place like this frog.  We sometimes can't figure out why we feel like we don't belong.  That is because, we are only visitors in this world.  We lived with God before we came here, and we are preparing to return to live with God again!   In John 15:19 it states:
"If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world..."

"For behold, this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God; yea, behold the day of this life is the day for men to perform their labors."  (Alma 34:32)


Our goal in this life is to be the best that we can so that we can return to our HOME in Heaven!