Leading by Example

For my assignment this week, I spent time studying Leadership as Christ established it on the Earth. I read several scriptures, but the message that I gathered was that leadership is best done in a spirit of loving example. It is important that others want to follow us because they see the happiness that we possess, and the peace that we feel. As I become a consistent example of what Christ's followers should be, then others will yearn for the peace and joy that I feel, and I can help them to find truth. I love the idea of being an example to others, especially a quiet example. I found a cute little video clip of a young woman who proved herself to be many things simply by the things she carried in her purse. I think that as we think about the idea of what we are telling others about ourselves, we can find many cute lessons in the story of the Lost Purse:

Preparing for Christ

Again, I am using this blog as a place to do some homework. At first I felt weird, like maybe my personal blog wasn't the right place for these assignments, but then I thought about it and realized, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is a HUGE part of the person that I am, and even more part of the person I am trying to become. So I think this is the perfect place for some of these thoughts. Today's assignment revolved around understanding what I can do to be prepared for the Second Coming of Christ. I was sent to several scriptures, which I will link below and then explain what I learned from them.
Mark 13
I started in this chapter because it is a parable about the Second Coming, offered by the Savior. I found some interesting things in it. I specifically read with the point of understand two words: heed, and watch.
I think the word heed means, to listen, obey and also to be aware that you have been warned. It is frequently used to help us understand when some kind of council has been offered. It is really a signal that something important has been offered to us, and  we would be wise to follow it.
The word watch in this chapter signified to me that we have been shown expectations of what will happen before the Savior returns. I think this because if there was nothing to watch for, why would we be instructed to "watch?"
Doctrine and Covenants 87:8
This verse is the last in the chapter and the phrase the stood out to me was "Stand in Holy Places" because we must first find good and holy places to put ourselves. Then we must stand up for the good and holy things we believe in. The second part that I also liked was "And be not moved." I like this part because I think too often I get comfortable and feel like, hey, I made it to church on Sunday, good enough! Well it isn't good enough! Finding the holy place is only the first step! It is equally important that we refuse to budge from the good and holy things and places that we know are true.
Doctrine and Covenants 45:56-57
The part of this section that I really liked was the reminder that those who received and accepted the truth, were also able to use the Holy Ghost as their guide. I thought this was very comforting. As we strive to find the truth in anything, we can be lead and assured of the accuracy through the Holy Ghost.

I loved studying this part of the scriptures. I sometimes get afraid of the Second Coming because I worry that I won't be good enough, but I just know that Heavenly Father knows my heart and all I can do is the best that I can do. And I have faith that as I try to follow the teachings I have been given, Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ will provide a way for the Second Coming to be a great and happy day for me and my family.

The Widows Mites

Sometimes in my life I feel like I'm not in a position to serve and sacrifice because I just have too little! But when I stop and think about it, I'm never in a position to not serve. I think that sacrifice is something that I can always do. In the story of the Widow's Mites, basically, she was incredibly poor and had very little to give, but what she did give was of far greater value to her than the rich who gave much. She felt the loss of the Mites far more than most would. I think that sacrifice should be like that for me. At the very least I think it is important to remember that we are never "above" people who are less fortunate than ourselves, simply because we give more.  We must keep a broader perspective and learn what more really is.

Update on Em

I'm going to Wyoming!
For fifteen days!

I'm really excited and a little nervous. Brandon totally keeps me grounded, that's why I tend to get a little crazy for the first half of the week when he is working and schooling so much! I am riding home with his parents on Sunday, and then I am driving back to Utah with Brandon when he come to Wyoming for Thanksgiving. I've tried to be a good wife by leaving him with a lot of meals and by painting the main bathroom before I leave which is turning out to be a killer amount of work. :) I just need a smaller list once in a while so that I can calm down a little bit and feel like I'm beating the list once in a while. haha

My little sister, Tessa, showed me how to snapchat today... It made me feel super old! I'm not even old! Although I have found that being married has really removed me from the technology updates and things like that. We don't have the money to buy the newest thing! Or even the money to buy cable, or go to movies consistently! So in reality, we just are kind of stuck with what was new when we got married! I never understood this logic. I would rather pay for babies than cable though. I love my life and I love where I'm at, I just feel super strange sometimes, kind of like I'm just not myself. That's okay though, I guess that's probably just part of growing and becoming someone new. :)

Alright, well, I'm off to bed because I'm exhausted and out of things to say! Good night

Principles in Parables

I have a religion class, and I've decided to do a blog entry to complete a study assignment.

For this assignment I was asked to read scriptures and sections of the institute manual to learn what major principles were being taught by each parable. I'll post the scripture reference, and below it my understanding of what was taught. Feel free to look up these scriptures by clicking on the scripture, I'll link them to LDS.org

Luke 16:1-12
There is a real need to prepare for eternal life, without any delay.

Luke 16:19-31
Christ spent his time between death and resurrection bridging the gap between Spirit Paradise and Spirit Prison. This allows missionary work and continued growth to happen in the next life.

Luke 17:11-19
Following the commandments and the instruction we are given through personal revelation will allow us to be blessed. It is important that we rely on our faith as we ask for miracles, and that we always recognize where the miracles have come from and give thanks.

Luke 18:1-8
It is not right to do things for selfish reasons, and then pretend that we are acting in a Godly fashion. God's compassion and kindness are not selfish at all.

Luke 18:9-14
Humility is far better than self-righteousness.

I really liked learning these principles and studying with the help of the Institute New Testament Student Manual, because a lot of the scriptures confused me at first read, but with some clarification I really learned a lot. I hope you enjoy seeing what I learned today :)
Love ya all