We Can Walk And Talk With God

In April 2010, Julie Beck stated:
"A good woman knows that she does not have enough time, energy, or opportunity to take care of all of the people or do all of the worthy things her heart yearns to do. Life is not calm for most women, and each day seems to require the accomplishment of a million things, most of which are important. A good woman must constantly resist alluring and deceptive messages from many sources telling her that she deserves a life of greater ease and independence. But with personal revelation, she can prioritize correctly and navigate this life confidently. The ability to qualify for, receive, and act on personal revelation is the single most important skill that can be acquired in this life."
President Harold B. Lee taught not only the importance of the gift of The Holy Ghost, but the remarkable nature of that gift when he said,
"Baptism by immersion symbolizes the death and burial of the man of sin; and the coming forth out of the water, the resurrection to a newness of spiritual life. After baptism, hands are laid upon the head of the baptized believer, and he is blessed to receive the Holy Ghost. Thus does the one baptized receive the promise or gift of the Holy Ghost or the privilege of being brought back into the presence of one of the Godhead, by obedience to whom and through his faithfulness one so blessed might receive the guidance and direction of the Holy Ghost in his daily walks and talks, even as Adam walked and talked in the Garden of Eden with God, his Heavenly Father. To receive such guidance and such direction from the Holy Ghost is to be spiritually reborn."

What a tremendous gift the Lord has given us in The Holy Ghost! Truly with Him as our daily guide, there is never a need to worry or fear. We can walk and talk with God daily! It is so humbling to me to ponder on the magnitude of this gift. I feel overwhelmed by the love my Father in Heaven has for me that He would give me this gift....and this gift is available to all who come unto Him. I feel to say with Alma; "Let us glory, yea, we will glory in the Lord; yea, we will rejoice, for our joy is full; yea, we will praise our God forever. Behold, who can glory too much in the Lord? Yea, who can say too much of his great power, and of his mercy, and of his long-suffering towards the children of men? Behold, I say unto you, I cannot say the smallest part which I feel." (Alma 26:16)

If You Have a Minute...

Sometimes I like to find a devotional or conference message on BYUtv and listen to it while doing a quiet activity with the kids. I love the spirit that it brings into our home, and even if I don't catch every single word, it really makes a difference in my day. I was listening to this talk yesterday while playing play-doh with my boys. I loved it so much! - which means that I have a lot to work on...but I want to work on it! This is a talk about the dangers of pride and how to overcome it. Really great stuff. So take a minute, pull out the crayons or puzzles with your kids and have yourself a listen. Or a couple of listens as I need to catch it all:)
BYUtv - BYU Devotional: Elder Kim B. Clark (9/29/2009)

The Handmaid of the Lord

These are some thoughts that I found about the virgin Mary that are specifically geared toward women. Hope everyone had a glorious Christmas!

I was quite young at the time the Lord sent His angel Gabriel to me. I had tried all my life to serve the Lord. I kept myself clean and pure and my heart and spirit virtuous. I knew the Lord and His goodness. I had faith in the prophecies concerning the Messiah, but had no idea of my role in the fulfillment of those prophecies. When the angel appeared to me he said, "Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women."
I wondered at his saying and he, knowing this said, "Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favor with God. And behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a Son and shalt call His name Jesus. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest."
I wondered how this would be, seeing that I knew not a man. He told me that the Holy Ghost would come upon me and the power of the Highest would overshadow me. "For with God, nothing shall be impossible." I did not doubt at his saying, but I replied "Be it unto me according to thy word." I trusted in the word of the Lord and submitted to His will.
I went quickly to see my dear friend and cousin Elizabeth. As I greeted her, she immediately told me that I was a blessed woman. The Holy ghost had bourne witness to her before i even spoke that I was to be the mother of the Son of God, and she rejoiced with me. Her faith and testimony strengthened mine and caused me to praise the Lord.
"My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. For He hath regarded the low estate of His handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For He that is mighty hath done great things to me: and Holy is His name."
"And His mercy is on them that fear Him from generation to generation. He hath showed strength with his arm. He hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He hath filled the hungry with good things."(Luke 1)
I know you too have felt to praise the Lord. I know you have felt the strength of His arm. What a blessed thing it is to be one of His daughters- to be a woman! He has given us all a special role- that of a woman- and as women- mothers. Whether of our own children, or of those around us...women are mothers.
My experience was definately unique, but perhaps you can relate to it. You see, I grew up in the small town of Nazareth where everyone knew what was going on in everyone else's lives. I assumed that most people would call me a sinner and not believe the miraculous nature of my conception, and I was right. I endured much persecution throughout my entire life. But, I did not fear men and I bore the burden of being misunderstood. I focused on the Lord.
You as women of our Savior's true church also have the choice to listen to the voices of the world, or to the voice of your God. Listen to Him and rejoice in Him! As you celebrate our Savior's birth at this time of the year, do celebrate! But not just during this season. Make everyday of your life a celebration of His infinite love and sacrifice for you.
And help eachother to celebrate! Women need women! Just as my relationship with my dear Elizabeth was such a strength to me, turn to and nurture eachother as women. And as Elizabeth and I rejoiced together in our miraculous motherhoods- rejoice in yours and hold the title of mother sacred in your heart. For it is sacred. Teach your children and the world what a divine and spectacular gift it is to be a mother. I know how much that role is valued by Him.
Trust in Him and submit your whole self to Him- that is where true happiness is found.
Learn to be submissive, for in reality our own will is the only thing that we can really give to the Lord, because everything else is already His.
I invite you to take time to ponder on all that our Savior has done for you, and all that he does everyday for you. I know as you listen and learn from His Holy Spirit, that your soul will magnify the Lord and your spirit will rejoice!

What Shall We Give?

Oh, how I love my Savior!

Follow-Up

So, I know I'm a week late, but I didn't forget about our value experience:) I actually had the opportunity to do this one with my Young Women as well as by myself. I did study the Proclamation again and was impressed by the very specific and different roles that Heavenly Father has given to men and women. I am grateful for the truths stated that a successful marriage and family is established and maintained on principles of "faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities....By divine design...mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children." (The Family Proclamation)
I am so grateful that Heavenly Father has given me the knowledge and the tools to raise a family in the best possible way....and so grateful that I can repent when I don't do it right!
In studying Proverbs 31 again, verse 21 stuck out to me.
"She is not afraid of the snow for her household; for all her household are clothed with scarlet." I thought that this could mean that a virtuous woman is not afraid of the storms (trials, tests) that will come in her life or the life of her family because all her household are clothed with scarlet....representing the atonement, faith in Jesus Christ and His mighty and miraculous power and ever-reaching arms of love and mercy. I really loved that. I want to be full of faith and have my whole household to be full of faith so that we won't fear the storms of life, but face each day being 'clothed' with the power that comes from having faith in and using the atonement...from trusting in and relying on Our Savior Jesus Christ. I rejoice that part of my divine role as a woman is to teach these truths to my family by example and also by word.
What thoughts or insights did you have in doing this challenge?

Love Personal Progress!

I love this program! Since being in Young Women's I have been working on doing this program again with my laurels. Let me just say how much I love the organization of the church and that Heavenly Father has given a way for everyone to come to Him and learn about who they are. Though not as young a woman as I used to be, I feel so blessed and strengthened by doing these value experiences. There is one in the Divine Nature section that I thought was a fantastic thing for every woman to do, even if you've done it before. So, if you want to, let's do this value experience together and share what we have learned about being a woman and what are important attributes for womanhood and motherhood.

Divine Nature Value Experience #2

"As a (young:) woman you are blessed with divine feminine qualities. Increase your understanding of and appreciation for womanhood. Read Proverbs 31:10-31 and two talks on womanhood from a conference issue of the Church magazines. Review what "The Family: A Proclamation to the World" says about being a wife and a mother. Then ask your mother or another mother you admire what she thinks are important attribues for being a mother. List the attributes in your journal. Then choose one of those attributes and strive to develop it. After two weeks report your success to a parent or leader." (Or friend! :)

I would love to hear the insights and things you learn from doing this challenge. Hooray for womanhood!

Well Fed By This...

I read this talk yesterday morning and it was so what I needed and I didn't even know it! I love the truths taught and the beautiful simplicity and peace of the word of God. I love it!
"Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O Lord God of hosts." Jeremiah 15:16
I feel to say that after every precious moment I have to study the words of God and whenever I feel Him speak to me through the Holy Ghost. What a blessing!

LDS.org - Ensign Article - Of Things That Matter Most