Proposition 8

I was reading the Church News and an article they had about a special broadcast they had concerning Proposition 8 in California. There was a special broadcast concerning the upcoming vote in a few weeks and counsel to members concering the matter. In this article, it listed a website from the church
http://www.preservingmarriage.org/index.html
with videos and other information concerning the institution of marriage and how to protect it. I have been reading up on the ammendment and all its implications. This is one of those defining moments in our lives where we are asked to take a stand or fall in with the crowd. Read up and let me know what you think. You can post your comments right on here.

the continuing story.....

Just an addition to yesterday's experience, my professor for my evening class extended the due date for our assignment (that was due last night) to next tuesday night!! The blessings continue to fall like rain. I need to make sure I don't waste away this week in procrastination, especially since I have been granted more time.

A sick professor

Do you ever have those moments where you KNOW that you have been given extension of life?! :) Okay-I wasn't physically DYING or anything, but had that feeling today that I had been on my death bed and been granted another day of life. Tuesdays are my busiest days as I am out the door by 7:15 am and don't return home usually until around 9 pm between work and classes. I was up until 1:30 lastnight and as I was lying in bed, I was contemplating what I could skip today so I could keep my sanity. :) Well, as you very well guessed, NOTHING was what I came up with. I have a hard time ever justifying missing anything - work or school- unless I am dying. (or last week, I missed a lecture class to finish a project and paper-i was riddle with guilt the ENTIRE night!!) I have a heavy load again this week and was feeling that today, wondering how I was going to get everything accomplished-including for my 3 hour class tonight!! So I started out my scheduled day as planned: teach spanish, work at bookstore, psychology class. After psychology, I headed over to my history class in the building next door. Our professor is usually there 5 or so minutes early to class and wasn't there today a few minutes after class was supposed to start. She told us if that ever happened to call her. Come to find out she is sick and the history department hadn't gotten over to the building to post a note for us that class was canceled. I normally would NEVER rejoice in someone's illness, but it was a blessed announcement! My friend Ally who was sitting next to me-together we breathed a sigh of relief, as we were both feeling the weight of our loads this week and were grateful for a few extra hours!

I knew in that moment that it was a blessing from a loving Heavenly Father, disguised as a sick professor. I am learning how the Lord works, and this is a prime example. I was blessed with a little extra time to come home and better prepare for an assignment that is due for my class tonight and do a little bit more research for a GINORMOUS paper I have to write for that same class. AND I was able to write a little bit here and to remember that God is ever mindful of us in all the details of our lives-down to the very seconds of our existence.

SNOW DAY

It snowed today!!! It had been raining off and on all day and it finally turned to snow. So beautiful!!

Our deepest fear

I was reminded of a great quote I had heard years ago. It was originally quoted to be from Nelson Mandela, but I could only find it under another name. It is a great quote neverthelss. :) I hope you enjoy it as well.

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn't serve the world. There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We are born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us, it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

God loves you THAT much

I just finished reading an article by Elder Neal A Maxwell and wanted to post something he said for today.
"This is the Lord's work. There is nothing else that even approaches it in significance. And you have been called to carry it forward today in a time of opportunity such as we have never seen before. God loves you that much."

It is good to be reminded who really cares about our well-being and what He has entrusted us with, as a manifestation of His love. We are so blessed to know Him and know of our purpose here.

smooth and polished

I was reading this morning about experiences of life and the importance of character. I was reading in the scriptures of those who have gone through affliction and it has been for their good. (Doctrine and Covenants 122:7)

Elder Neal A. Maxwell says about character, "It is much easier in this life to BE a character than to HAVE character. ...we see characters before us in the media all the time. To have character is a special and wonderful thing, but to develop it is not a pain-free process." /em>Sharing insights from my life

The Prophet Joseph Smith said "I am like a huge, rough stone rolling down from a high mountain; and the only polishing I get is when some corner gets rubbed off by coming in contact with something else, striking with accelerated force...all hell knocking off a corner here and a corner there. Thus I will become a smooth and polished shaft in the quiver of the Almighty." (Teachings, p. 304)

There is a purpose to all that happens in our lives and can be for our good, if we let it. I am realizing that it is a matter of choice if we do-if we learn what God intends us to learn from our 'daily tutorials'. I'm grateful for a loving Heavenly Father who knows exactly what I need to continue in the polishing process.

General Conference

Yes-it has been a week and a half since I have posted anything. I have been feeling that Satan had mounted a 'frontal assault' on me, as Elder Perry so eloquently put it. I haven't had very positive thoughts, so I decided I shouldn't write anything. I have been eagerly awaiting General Conference this weekend and had been praying for direction. The president of the Relief Society in our stake shared with us a few weeks ago that everytime she attended the temple, she had a question in her heart. I thought that was a great idea to ask the Lord specifically. The temple is a place you can go to reflect on what really matters in this life and receive direction on our part in it. I thought the same principle could apply to conference- it being a time of reflection and a time to receive personal direction concerning our existence. So I had a question for both sessions today. I even made it a matter of pray WHAT I should pray for, as I know my Father in Heaven knows best what I need at this time. I felt inspired with a certain question in the morning session and asked it in prayer and sat down to listen to the session. I was AMAZED at how much direction I received from each talk. I did the same thing for the afternoon session.
I was filled with every emotion as I listened. I was amazed how well Heavenly Father knows me and knew exactly what I needed; I felt tinges of guilt as I was reminded of things I need to be doing better; I was filled with love: the love my Heavenly Father has for me. All that I felt and learned is too lengthy, and some too sacred to share here. But I just wanted to make a brief post and tell all who feel that satan has 'mounted a full frontal assault' on them-know that you are not forgotten. God is ever mindful of ALL of His children, wherever we are. "The dial on the wheel of sorrow at one time or another points to us" (Elder Joseph B Wirthlin) at one time or another. I am grateful for this 'on the job' experiences, as Elder Wirthlin put it. How ever dark it may get, we are not left alone. Of that I am sure.