Be obedient and blessings will be ours.

Matthew 19:16-22. The story of the rich young ruler is a hard one. Even though the man was good in most areas, he just couldn’t give up his riches. Could we? Even though I live in a little cracker box, could I give up everything I have if I was asked to? Do my material possessions come before the Savior? This made me think of the homeless people. Most stories you hear, the homeless will share whatever they have, but the rest of us will cling to most of our material possessions.

Matthew 19:16-22. Using the same scripture, Elder Neal A. Maxwell taught us that, “being a valiant disciple of the Savior means not just avoiding sin but actively doing good: “Failing to be valiant without significant happiness. Therefore, our active avoidance of wickedness must be followed by our active engagement in righteousness.” I have learned over the years that you can’t just give something up. We need to replace that void with something good.

Matthew 20:1-16 tells of the Parable of the Laborers. I have always had a hard time with this scripture. I never thought it was quite fair until I read what Elder Jeffery R. Holland said. “This parable – like all parables – is not really about laborers or wages any more than the others are about sheep and goats. This is a story about God’s goodness, Hi patience and forgiveness, and the Atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is a story about generosity and compassion. It is a story about grace.” We are on a business trip but took the time to go to the Orlando Temple. We were 7 minutes late for the last session on Saturday. So, we decided to do some sealings. (We always have such neat experiences when we visit temples all over the country). This day we joined sealings half in Spanish and half in English. There were a couple of neat experiences but to save time, I wanted to share just one. I had just read these scriptures prior to attending the temple and the sealing took a break while we changed people at the altar. He told of his children adopting a child a few years ago and were sealed together. Then he told us that they adopted some more children and they were having them sealed in a couple of weeks. He told of the laborers story and mentioned that it is like these children being sealed. No matter how long they had to wait for these latest children, they will still have all the same blessings of those that were sealed at a previous time. That is like all of us. No matter the house that we or others comes to the Savior, He will bless us and accept us all the same and no blessing will be withheld from any of us as long as we are faithful.

Go and do likewise/Parable of the Great Supper

1.       Luke 10:37 “He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go and do likewise”. If there is one thing that I have learned this past year during all my battles, it is that I have gained empathy for others going through the same type of battle. You can’t tell people to just snap out of it. That would be great if you could just snap out of a situation. But climbing out of the dark is a process that must be done step-by-step. For me, it helped when my husband just held me and not tried to “fix it”. I can do that for others when they fight their own battles. We don’t have to worry about what to say or what to bring. It may not work for everyone but it is worth a try.

2.       Luke 10:38-42. I have always had a hard time understanding the story of Mary & Martha. Someone has to prepare the food for others. If no one prepares it, then when the time comes, do they get frowned upon because they weren’t prepared? It’s so confusing. However, I do understand that the story is telling us that listening to the Savior should take priority. It was also helpful to read that Martha went directly to the Savior when Lazarus was to be raised from the dead. This student manual points out that this story makes us think what choices we are making with our time. Are we doing good or are we wasting our time with bad things? Sometimes things are just a choice between good and best, not necessarily bad.

3.       Luke 14:12-24 The Parable of the Great Supper. This story reminded me how when I was growing up, we didn’t have the gospel in our home. We didn’t have the priesthood. I didn’t know all of this stuff. But now that I do, I don’t want to be without it. It makes me sad that some of my children walked away from the gospel and all of its blessings. They KNOW what they are missing. Even though I am active now, what excuses do I make that prevent me from fully accepting the invitation to the feast and miss out on blessings?

4.       Luke 14:26-33 Sacrifice Is Required of all Disciples. Doran and I talked about these scriptures and how we haven’t had to sacrifice like others have. We had to give up our old life and our friends but we have gained something even better. He said that he read that one of the general authorities said something to the affect: When our children go astray, we need to make sure that they know where we stand with the gospel. That we are planted firmly.

It is amazing to me how a group of people can read the same scriptures and yet have so many different insights. I mentioned this in our Fabulous 14 & 15 year old Sunday School class this past Sunday and told them how important and how much we, as teachers, love to hear their comments because they really do teach us more than they know.

So kids, when you read this, know that I have a testimony of the gospel. I know that Jesus Christ and our Heavenly Father wants us to embrace the gospel and receive all the blessings in the church and the temple so that we can be an eternal family. When we focus on our eternal goal, we have more of a desire to do those things that will let us sit down together in the eternities. We are not perfect but we can keep trying to be better.

Great lesson week!

Keys are significant!

This week I had several “aha” moments. One thing that really stuck me was the significance the “keys” were in Jesus’ time. (Matthew 16:19). We often hear the phrase “keys of the priesthood”, but unless we understand how significant keys were in those times, the “keys” word is just a word, at least they were to me. I know that they keys of the priesthood are important and a privilege but I didn’t realize the significance until I read this in the Student Manual, “…keys were typically made of iron and were bulkier, more expensive, and less common than modern house keys. To hold the keys of a house was a position of great trust. Thus, keys were a fitting symbol of special authority, responsibility, and purpose…. they represent the power to lock and unlock, open and shut, and permit or prevent entrance.”

So, to hold the “keys” to something, especially the priesthood, is significant. Not just a play on words. I have always had respect for the priesthood and those that hold the priesthood. I am grateful to the men that take this responsibility seriously. I am thankful that we now have the priesthood in our home. I didn’t even know what this was when I was growing up.

Can you imagine the experience?

Another cool thing I learned in Matthew 17:3-9 is that Peter, James and John received their endowments and priesthood keys on the Mount of Transfiguration, however they couldn’t mention the keys to perform for the dead until after Christ's resurrection. During this experience there were some amazing people there, including Heavenly Father behind a cloud. In order to witness this, Peter, James and John also had to be transfigured along with Jesus. I never really knew what the Mount of Transfiguration was all about.

Be a good example!

Even though there were some good things in the other scriptures, my last one is still in Matthew 17:24-27. I have never heard of the story of Payment of the Temple Tax. Jesus was exempt from paying temple tax but if He didn’t then others would follow His example. So, to be a good example He paid the tax. In order to get the money to pay, He sent His disciples to go catch a fish and when they open the fish’s mouth, they would find the coin for the tribute.

My Primary girls and baptisms

Years ago I taught these cute little girls in Primary. We formed such a special bond that I declared them mine even after I was released. I still get to send them birthday and holiday gifts and I got to make them blankets for their baptisms last year. I'm so proud of them all and love their guts. They will forever be my "Primary girls".

I am missing a picture of Lexi.

Lexi has always been kind of quiet but she has been such a sweet little girl. She has come out of her shell the older she gets and she will not hesitate to hug me now.

Payton

 Payton is a ball of energy. She has always been fun and loving. She actually moved away but Doran and I still were able to make it to her baptism. It is so good to see her grow.

Lily

Lily is shy and quiet, at least at church. She is so sweet and loving as well. She always has a smile and a hug for me. Her late grandfather was one of my best friends brother when we were growing up. She never got to meet him but he would have LOVED Lily.

Zoey

Zoey was a tough egg to crack in the beginning. She didn't want to be away from her mom for very long. It took her quite awhile to warm up to me. She now (usually) has a ready hug for me. Her two sisters usually want a hug as well.

Aubrey

Aubrey sits by the greeter every Sunday and helps pass out programs. I get a hug from her every week. When I gave her the blanket she just kept hugging me and said, "I can't quit hugging you!" Most of the time when I see Aubrey she comes running to me. It feels like she has been watching and waiting for me. I'm sure that's not what it is, but she makes me feel like that.

Alissa

Alissa is my special "adopted" granddaughter. We have always seemed to have a good relationship. I remember when we were really becoming close and after Sacrament one Sunday she asked what she should call me. I didn't know and she said, "Grandma Jody"? I said that would be great.

What a blessing these girls are to me. When I was fighting my depression battle last year, Doran kept reminding me of these girls and how much they meant to me and how much they loved me. It has been such a joy to see them grow. I pray they will always stay close to the Savior!

Praying for others

When we pray for others, do our prayers really mean anything?

One of my favorite things on Sunday morning is to catch a story by Glenn Rawson. He has such profound stories and can tell them in a way to capture your attention. He then follows up his story with a song.

This morning he asks, "Does our prayers for others really help?". He then goes on to tell the following story (This one I found in the Friend magazine):

"One man was paralyzed and could not move his arms and legs. He could not go anywhere unless four friends carried him on a small bed. The four friends decided to take the paralyzed man to see Jesus.

When they got to the house where Jesus was teaching, it was filled with people. There was not even room to squeeze in the doorway. The men had faith that Jesus could heal their friend if only Jesus could see him. How could they get in?

They carried their friend up to the flat roof on top of the house. Then they took part of the roof off! They lowered their friend on his bed down into the room where Jesus was teaching.

When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the man who could not walk, “Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way” (Mark 2:11). Immediately the man stood up, picked up his bed, and left. The people were amazed and gave glory to God."

LDS Bible Images

He then proceeded to point out that because of the faith of the paralyzed man's friends, he was able to receive a miracle. His friends carried him and did all they could to help him receive his miracle.

This also reminded me of a time we were Ma & Pa at trek. I was having a bit of some heart issues when I went and we were a little concerned with the vigorous parts of trek. During the women's pull was the first time I actually felt that someone was praying for me. I can't describe the experience but I knew I was being prayed for. Later during the trek I found out that the missionaries were praying really hard for those involved in the women's pull. It was a testimony builder for me to know that our prayers for others really does matter.

So see, YES! Praying for others and serving others helps. Don't ever stop praying for other people. Mention them by name often.

Enjoy the Little Things...

He said it was for the first day of the month that we married.

(Or the first year that we married.)

He still hasn't decided but they are beautiful!

Have Faith in the Savior

1. Matthew 13:23 talks about “Preparing the Good Soil of Our Hearts”. President James E. Faust said, “For the seeds of faith to sprout in our lives, we must avoid Satan’s grasp. We also need to prepare our own seedbeds of faith. To do this we need to plow the soil through daily humble prayer, asking for strength and forgiveness. We need to harrow [break up] the soil by overcoming our feelings of pride. We need to prepare the seedbed by keeping the commandments to the best of our ability.” We had a Stake Women’s Conference this past week and one of the keynote speakers talked about preparing ourselves. How can we testify, if we don’t READ? How can we know the Book of Mormon to be true, if we don’t READ? How can we know our Savior and Heavenly Father, if we don’t READ? So, this got me thinking, in order for us to nourish the seeds, we must do our part to learn so that we can stand as a witness and be able to fight off the adversary.
2. Mark 4:35-41. Jesus calmed the storm. I can relate to this part of the lesson so well. It’s not that we don’t want to have faith in Jesus Christ, sometimes we just can’t see past our grief and turmoil. But when we can look with our spiritual eyes, we see things much differently. President Howard W. Hunter said, “Peace was on the lips and in the heart of the Savior no matter how fiercely the tempest was raging…We should not expect to get through life individually or collectively without some opposition.” We will all have trials but we must try our hardest to have faith to weather the storms. Try to see with our spiritual eyes and have faith that all will be well. 
3. Mark 5:1-20. Jesus Christ Cast Out Devils… This scripture reminded me when my depression hits, or when I have negative thoughts, that the devil is trying to enter my life. I remember that on a daily basis and sometimes an hourly basis that I was saying, “Get thee hence Satan!” Through many blessings with the priesthood power, I was able to think more clearly and safely. Jesus caste out the evil spirits and I am thankful that that blessing is available to us now through those that worthily hold the priesthood and act in the Saviors name.
4. Mark 4:24 tells us that we will receive what our spirit is ready to receive but we must prepare ourselves and be willing to receive more.
5. And one of my favorites in Matthew 11:28-30. It talks about "Take my yoke upon you", meaning that we need to be inline with the Savior and our burdens will be light. It doesn't mean that we won't have trials, but we will be able to bear the burdens better with the Savior.