Instrument in the Lords hands

Last Sunday I had the opportunity to give the "Fast Sunday" lesson in Young Womens. It was one of those times in my life where I knew that the Lord had put His trust in me and I became and instrument in His hands. My lesson was on Personal Revelation. (Which is our theme for the month) We talked a lot about the different ways the Holy Ghost can communicate to us. Whether its a "still small voice", "He enlightens our minds", "causes a burning in our bosom", "He gives peace", or "line upon line, precept upon precept".  As we discussed these I felt as though I should share a personal experience: 

"My mom had gone out of town. I was about 16. It was the day she was supposed to come home and I hadn't heard from her yet. So I tried calling her. The phone didn't even ring, it made this fuzzy beeping noise and then hung up. I tried several times to call her. The thing that scared me was that it didn't even go to her voice machine.  All these scenarios ran through my head that maybe she got in an accident and her phone was smashed. It started getting late and I was getting more and more scared. I felt sick inside. So I said a little prayer and I had this overwhelming feeling of peace run through my body. I had the feeling that everything would be alright. So I continued on with my night and quit worrying. Hours later, I still hadn't heard anything from my mom. I began to worry again. Only this time more then the first time I was worrying. I had forgotten the feelings of peace that the Lord so graciously gave me. I said another prayer asking the Lord to give me comfort and to keep my mom safe. After I finished I had this feeling to read my scriptures. So I opened them and I came upon this verse:

 (D&C 6:23)

"Did I not speak peace to your mind concerning the matter? What greater witness can you have then from God?"

Lessons Learned:

I then bore my testimony on the power of prayer and personal revelation. I know that it is real. I know that the Lord does speak to us individually through the Holy Ghost. When we are worthy of it.  I also know that just because you haven't received a lightening bolt answer about something doesn't mean the Lord didn't answer you and it also doesn't mean you don't have a testimony. 

Elder Dallin H. Oaks cautioned: “Some [people] have looked exclusively for the great manifestations that are recorded in the scriptures and have failed to recognize the still, small voice that is given to them. … We need to know that the Lord rarely speaks loudly. His messages almost always come in a whisper. …Not understanding these principles of revelation, some people postpone acknowledging their testimony until they have experienced a miraculous event. They fail to realize that with most people … gaining a testimony is not an event but a process.” 

There was a specific girl in my class that I know this lesson was for. She isn't a member but she comes faithfully every Sunday by herself. I could see the light in her eyes as she took in the spirit and tried so hard to understand what was being said. I know that seeds were planted at that moment. I am grateful that the spirit was there that day to teach for me because He is a far better teacher then I could ever be. 

Divine Calling

This past week my little boy has been doing so much. I feel like he grew up over night. He just hit 6 months and I feel like he is already 5 yrs. He is all over the place. It is so fun for me to watch him learn. As I was enjoying this week, watching him roll all over the place, eat rice cereal for the first time, drink out of a cup, etc... I suddenly felt like I hit a brick wall. My heart sunk. I had no idea why I felt such...RESPONSIBILITY. That's right. Responsibility.  Things have been so AWESOME.  I felt like I was on top of the world. Finally getting the hang of this "mom thing".  And then without warning WORRY for my little boy's future over powered me.  I couldn't sleep all night. I felt sick inside. I even felt scared. I no longer felt confident. Doubt and failure kept running through my mind. How do I raise my little boy? All of a sudden the basics seemed hard. Where do I even start? Good heavens. After hours of complete torture, I said a little prayer. Comfort, strength, knowledge, humility, patience. I am grateful for the Lord's work. I am grateful that He knows me and is always there to guide me. "Kim, you are capable. Not only capable but you are chosen for this. You have the great privilege and duty to be a mother in Zion." 

Lessons Learned:

"The Lord has directed, Bring up your children in light and truth. To me, there is no more important human effort. Being a father or a mother is not only a great challenge; it is a divine calling. It is an effort requiring consecration. President David O. McKay (1873-1970) stated that being parents is the greatest trust that has been given to human beings."
--President James E. Faust, A Thousand Threads of Love, Ensign, Oct. 2005, 3

Smile :)

Lesson Learned:
"...S.piritually M.inded I.s L.ife E.ternal." (2 Nephi 9:39)

Don't forget to S.M.I.L.E. :)

Virtuous Women

This past week we did a really fun activity for Young Womens. Our theme for this month is Virtuous Choices. So we had some virtuous women of the past come and speak to our girls.

We had Eve, Mary, a Stripling Warrior's Mother, Emma Smith, and Queen Esther talk. I think the girls liked it, or it could have been because they were making fun of our bad acting skills and silly costumes. I thought it ended up being a very spiritual night. We had the room only lit by lamps to kinda tone down the mood for the night. It was a big success.

Lesson Learned:
 I chose to be a Stripling Warrior's mother because of their obedience to the Lord. I can't imagine first not being able to defend for your life and second sending your son to battle not know if he would ever return to you. What a hard covenant to be obedient to. They were so brave.  I felt I could relate to this the most out of all the other Virtuous Women. I know that I have been blessed with a wonderful husband and son because of my obedience to the Lord.  There was a point in my life that I wasn't making the best decisions. It was when I asked for forgiveness and changed those things about my life the Lord blessed me. He blessed me with Brian. I have been so happy ever since.  I know my happiness has come from obedience to the Gospel.  I know I didn't have to worry for my life or send my son out to battle to keep a commandment but there definitely were hard moments and choices I had to make. People to say goodbye to. But the Lord knows best. He always will. I'm grateful for this activity and for the lessons it taught me.

His Infinite Love

Lesson Learned:

To Make You Feel My Love

"When the rain is blowing in your face
And the whole world is on your case I would offer you a warm embrace
To make you feel my love
When the evening shadows and the stars appear
And there is no one to dry your tears I could hold you for a million years
To make you feel my love I know you haven't made your mind up yet
But I would never do you wrong I've known it from the moment that we met
No doubt in my mind where you belong I'd go hungry, I'd go blind for you I'd go crawling down the aisle for you
There ain't nothing that I wouldn't do
To make you feel my love
The storms are raging on a rolling sea
Down the highway of regret
The winds of change are blowing wild and free
But you ain't seen nothing like me yet
There ain't nothing that I wouldn't do
Go to the ends of the earth for you
Make you happy, make your dreams come true
To make you feel my love"

Thought of the day.

"May it be a light for you in dark places, when all other lights go out..." - Galadriel Lord of the Rings

Lessons Learned:

it= Jesus Christ/The Atonement

light=hope/comfort

dark places= trials/afflictions/sin

The Lord won't give us anything that we can't handle. But when we are given hard moments remember to always rely on him and he will help push you forward.  It's in the moments of stepping into the darkness without hope or light that He provides the light for you. 

"I never said it would be easy, I only said it would be worth it." 

Integrity

Lesson Learned:

"Good men sometimes make mistakes. A man of integrity will honestly face and correct his mistakes, and that is an example we can respect. Sometimes men try but fail. Not all worthy objectives are realized despite one's honest and best efforts. True manhood is not always measured by the fruits of one's labors but by the labors themselves--by one's striving."

(D. Todd Christofferson, "Let Us Be Men," Ensign, Nov. 2006, 47-48)