Day 17.

The culmination of this day started a week ago.

It has been a constant prayer ever since.  There was more constant praying the entire day today.  There was worry in there too, that the evening planned would be beneficial to all who were in attendance, then there was more praying to remove the worry and restore the faith.

As I sit here, at the end of this day, and the evening I got to share with my Relief Society sisters, I feel the love and calm, that only an answered prayer can bring.

I was blessed in so many ways.  The collective inspiration of board members as to what this particular evening should include, music, spoken words by those we were inspired to ask to speak, inspiration for the subjects they should speak about.  Inspiration and calm given to me at the temple when the worry peaked..  all blessings!

So blessed.

I am feeling extremely blessed today.

It’s not just today in particular.  I have seen the hand of my Heavenly Father in my life more frequently.  I am so thankful for so many things. 

I have been doing so many private posts lately, not wanting to put ALL of it out there.  My worries are my worries.  While I don’t want to share everything with everyone, and quite frankly, most of what I worry about seems so small and insignificant in comparison to what we see in the world today, I just keep it to myself.  They consist of tender mercies and experiences that I am just not ready to share with everyone.

I have been trying to get back to the basics.  There have been many lessons taught  that are further strengthening that resolve.  They come from all over, not just Sunday meetings, but in other inspired writings, whether they be the scriptures, or what a random blogger has written.  They come from inspired friends and family sharing their knowledge.

I have to bear my testimony today of prayer, of the Book of Mormon, and the study of scripture.

As I continually pray for comfort, I am continually blessed.  As I search out the best decisions to make, I am always guided.   It seems like life has been a sort of a puzzle lately.  With school starting again, trying to find the time to do all those things that need to be done, managing a household as well, I have been praying for guidance and comfort.  Yesterday for some reason, was a particularly worrisome day for me.  (Maybe it has something to do with Ashley starting school this week…)  I prayed constantly.  As the nighttime approached, I said my private prayer, and left my worries and stresses in the hands of my loving Heavenly Father.

This morning, I started my day again with prayer with the girls, and we set out about our day.  It is amazing how much I am able to accomplish when I go about things in the right order, just how much I am blessed!  Today hasn’t been any different.  I have prayed for help with my goals, re-establishing good habits, and as I go about, trying to do those things that I have set out to do, I get them done.

I know I have help.

I sat to read my scriptures, and yet again, was blessed.

I won’t post the entire reference here, but a link (in case you are interested), and some of what touched my heart today.

My reading was 2 Nephi Chapter 4:

“ 20 My God hath been my ^asupport; he hath led me through mine ^bafflictions in the wilderness; and he hath preserved me upon the waters of the great deep.

  21 He hath filled me with his ^alove, even unto the ^bconsuming of my flesh.”

“23 Behold, he hath heard my cry by day, and he hath given me ^aknowledge by ^bvisions in the night-time.

  24 And by day have I waxed bold in mighty ^aprayer before him; yea, my voice have I sent up on high; and angels came down and ministered unto me.”

“34 O Lord, I have ^atrusted in thee, and I will ^btrust in thee forever. I will not put my ^ctrust in the arm of flesh; for I know that cursed is he that putteth his ^dtrust in the arm of flesh. Yea, cursed is he that putteth his trust in man or maketh flesh his arm.

  35 Yea, I know that God will give ^aliberally to him that asketh. Yea, my God will give me, if I ^bask ^cnot amiss; therefore I will lift up my voice unto thee; yea, I will cry unto thee, my God, the ^drock of my ^erighteousness. Behold, my voice shall forever ascend up unto thee, my rock and mine everlasting God. Amen.”

I KNOW that these scriptures were preserved by the hand of the lord to be brought forth in these times for our benefit.  I know that we have  loving Heavenly Father who only waits for us to ask for His help, and He lovingly and willingly blesses us.

I am so thankful for the comfort I have.

(I just wish I would have received some direction as to NOT putting on my make up BEFORE I read this!)

On my mind..

I met someone the other day, I knew of them, mostly by the reputation that proceeds them..
That reputation my friends, is one of a gossiper.
I personally don't say anything about another person that I haven't said, or wouldn't say to their own face.. I know how it feels.
I have had many run-ins when it comes to others, what they have said about me, or assumed. I even know a person (or two) who has actually admitted, to my face, that they had said something about me , or heard something about me , repeated it, and were apologizing for it.
Amazing!
I have also confronted others, tried to set things straight, when appropriate, of course.
There are still some out there whose entertainment of choice is to spew hurtful and untrue things.
Sounds sooo fun (read the sarcasm).
That is what my thoughts are usually consumed by; what things have been said or might possibly be said about me when I have recently been with someone holding this reputation.
I know that someday, everyone will have an understanding of all things, truth will be known. Some days it's hard to remember that, it hurts, and you want others to know the truth, not to believe the lies.
It will eat at me.
It will anger me.
It will make me sad.
Then, I pray.
Might sound cheesy to some, but when it consumes my life, affects my attitude and what I put-off to my own family, when I want to be happy and playful with my kids instead of having my thoughts tied up in what might be.. it is the healing agent in my life.
I pray to have it removed from my mind.
I pray to forgive.
It works every time.
Peace is awesome!
So when my tummy pudges out a little bit too much because of all the Double Stuff Oreos I've been gorging on (skim milk doesn't even begin to balance that out) or the Little Debbie snacks I am now addicted to.. and people choose to speculate, or talk about it, I am well armed :)
Speaking of the Double Stuffs, I have gotta find a new hiding place for them.
Ashley found the current hideout.
One morning while preparing scrambled eggs for breakfast, she watched as I got out the plates to dish them up on.. that is where they have been safe, in the plate cupboard.
"What are the Oreos doing in the plate fridge?" she asked.
Mentally noted, she spotted them.
The only thing these kids inhale faster than Double Stuff Oreos is the marshmallows, and only the marshmallows, from the Lucky Charms..
Seriously, they take all the good stuff..