Three Situations One Answer

I love Sundays!  I love the reflection, remembrance, and renewal Sunday's allow me.  Today as I reflected on this past week I am reminded of my ponderizing quote.

I personally picked this quote for me and my life.  

1) I love Sister Marriott  

2) I love this talk!  

3) This talk and quote really spoke to me.  

As I went through my week, I was able to see that this quote applied to a friend at work and a family member going through some trials.  While each of us are facing uniquely different trials, this quote and its message applied to each of us.  God is in the details of our lives and very aware of what we are going through.  Being able to ponderize this quote this week has reminded me that as we turn to our Savior, Jesus Christ and become truly yoked to Him, He will make "it all work out".

Additional insight about being yoked to the Savior can be found here.

October Break: Florida

Beautiful Ft. Lauderdale Beach

October (Fall) Break Destination: Florida! I recently came home from a quick trip to Florida!  It was great to spend time with my family.  We played lots of games and ate lots of food.  Yes I made cookies! I spent some time on the beach, ate some chocolate, and explore the beautiful Flamingo Gardens.  Already looking forward to my next visit Florida!

Flamingo Gardens 

Hoffman's Chocolate  :)

American Beautyberry

Hibiscus

A Zombie Palm

Flamingos at the Flamingo Gardens

Ponderize the Scriptures

I invite you to “ponderize” one verse of scripture each week. The word ponderize is not found in the dictionary, but it has found a place in my heart. So what does it mean to ponderize? I like to say it’s a combination of 80 percent extended pondering and 20 percent memorization.

There are two simple steps:

First, choose a verse of scripture each week and place it where you will see it every day.

Second, read or think of the verse several times each day and ponder the meaning of its words and key phrases throughout the week.

~Elder Devin G. Durrant; My Heart Pondereth Them Continually General Conference October 2015

Ever since I heard this talk I have been finding a scripture, hymn, or phrase that has struck me the past week.  Yes, I have missed a few weeks here and there.  I have only recently been putting them on my lock screen of my phone.  I've been using a couple of apps to make it pretty.  Here is a sampling:

 

Emotional Self-Care

Today we had a Relief Society Staycation.  The theme was "It is Better to Look Up". The whole day had activities and classes with super cute titles like Rise Up (Yoga Class), Clean Up (Simple Organizing Class), Dress Up (Dress Your Body Type), Craft Up (Blessing Boards), Eat Up (Lunch), etc.  Before lunch our main class, Look Up, was taught by our keynote speaker, Sister Christina Packard.  She is a private practice mental health counselor and spoke about emotional self-care.  The Spirit was very strong as she spoke about the importance of emotional self-care.  I will do my best to convey her message and give the highlights (want the full notes? just ask).  

In the beginning she asked us to list 5-6 stresses in your life (I could hear sisters chuckle cause we all have more than 5-6 stresses in our lives).  I know all of us have different stresses in our lives ranging in a variety of topics.  Some topics we discussed were: transitions, physical, relationships, financial.  We are all coping with the demands of mortality (reminded me of Mosiah 18-8-9).   Anxiety and depression is common among LDS women. What can we do? What is most needful for me to do today?

CONNECT with God and Jesus Christ everyday

and LOVE those within our circle of influence

We need to FIND Him.  When you feel like you can't continue with your trials or burdens at that moment He will be there with you and with Him you can!  She suggested some things to help us as we live our lives: enjoy the sunshine, eat healthy food, get adequate sleep, move your body, spirituality. (I thought of our Healthy Dibble Blog!)

I (insert your name here) open the door to the Savior in my life. 

Open the door with a sincere heart.  

Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.  Revelation 3:20

I Stand at the Door and Knock; artwork: J. Kirk Richards (This is one of my favorites.  I got it framed earlier this year.)

She brought a framed photograph with her.  It was a photo of Kintsugi, a Japanese pottery that is made by repairing the broken pieces with resin and pure gold.  The work kintsugi means "repaired with gold". She shared this scripture:

 Behold, I go forward, but he is not there; and backward, but I cannot perceive him:  On the left hand, where he doth work, but I cannot behold him: he hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him: But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold. -  Job 23:8-10

She testified that we are here to be given trials to come to know Him and that Jesus Christ can and will heal us all. Her message was one that I have personally heard Elder Holland testify of : God wants broken things "broken heart" (MSA Fireside in AZ in April 2016).  I know that we are here on earth for a reason and one of those reasons is that we become like Him.  I know we accomplish this in a variety of ways like feasting on the words of Christ,  praying with all energies of our heart, and attending the temple.  I know that we are here as a family to help each other return to Him and I have one of the best! 

I got a job!!!

I've waited a very long time to find the right job and I found one!  I am an Educational Technology Trainer for Mesa Public Schools!  #goodthingscometothosewhowait

And I get a business card!!!  I've never had one so it's kind of a big deal!

Yeah for me!

 

30+ Single Adult Fireside

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland had a special fireside for the 30+ Single Adults.  Here are some of my notes from the evening.

God loves broken things

     we need broken clouds to get rain

     we need broken earth to get grain

     we need broken grain to get bread

     we need broken bread to nourish us

“why me?” - will be all of us at some point in our lives

endure and save yourself for days of happiness ahead

this is the church of the happy endings

always happy in the end

I Believe in Christ…so come what may!

I was able to gain additional insight into Mark 4:35-41. Elder Holland mentions: Peter, James, and John - experienced fisherman were frightened by the storm;      Jesus said “why are ye so fearful? oh ye of little faith.”  JRH points out in the beginning of this story Jesus says “Let us pass over to the other side [of the Sea of Galilee]” that means they would not sink in the middle of the Sea of Galilee. He mentions to put our trust in Him.

 35 And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side.

 36 And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships.

Artwork by Walter Rane.
http://www.walterraneprints.com/prints/peace-be-still

 37 And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.

 38 And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?

 39 And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.

 40 And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?

 41 And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?

How many times I have read that passage of scripture and never noticed that part in verse 35.  I am so grateful for the gospel of Jesus Christ and the many opportunities I have to learn of Him through the scriptures and living prophets and apostles.

Visit to Florida

My parents and I went to Florida and visited my brother and his family!  It was lots of fun spending time with them and exploring a new state!  Here is a small sampling of my trip. We visited the Ft. Lauderdale Temple, The Bonnet House,  took a tour on the Venice of America, and lots of other stuff. Enjoy!

Ft. Lauderdale LDS Temple

Don't worry!  It's fake!

The Bonnet House

Another shot of the Bonnet House

A beautiful view on my morning walk

RootsTech 2016

RootsTech is a global family history event where people of all ages learn to discover, share and celebrate their family connections across generations through technology. At RootsTech, there is something for everyone, no matter your experience in family history or your skill level in technology.

I went! I have a notebook full of notes! Looking forward to applying all I have learned!

Morningside with Elder David A. Bednar

I had the great opportunity to hear Elder David A. Bednar speak today! It was early! It was awesome!  Instead of some prepared thoughts the whole time was him answering questions from different audience members.  Here are a couple of snapshots of my notes: