Feel God's Love

Feel God's Love in all the creations around you --- look for it.

"If despite your best-efforts life is overcast, if you feel that your prayers are not heard, or if you can’t feel God’s love, please know that your every effort matters and, as certain as the stars above us, that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ know, hear, and love you. " 

(Benjamin M. Z. Tai, Love of God)

Let your light so Shine ---

That which is of God is light; and he that receiveth light, and continueth in God, receiveth more light; and that light groweth brighter and brighter until the perfect day.   

                                                                                                      Doctrine & Covenants 50:24

Believe in yourself

 The Ugly Duckling story is one among the classic bedtime stories for kids, which mentions a duckling who faces indifference from his siblings because of his odd appearance, but gradually grows up to become a beautiful swan. The Ugly Duckling moral is that we shouldn’t judge a book by its cover. We must know that it can be worthy even if it looks different from others. 

 If you don't know what or who you are and you compare yourself to others, you are bound to feel ugly even when you are so very beautiful, if you see as yourself as you really are.  

Don't compare, and if you are feeling less than you are realize you are comparing and shouldn't.

Positive thinking - a very good thing to do.

Move Ahead --

Positive thinking - even when you feel like a weed.  Think differently.

A weed can be a flower when it is wanted, a flower can be a weed when it is not wanted.

Prepare

Usually, I use other people's words but this time I am using a picture that made me think.  It doesn't show what I saw very well so I will put my thoughts here.

This wash has a road on both sides of the wash - the right side or shaded side is clear and ready , the left side wouldn't allow anything but an off road vehicle down it.

We can't prepare for everything, but we should at least try to have emergency roads open and ready.  Prayer is one - we may not use it as often as we should, but it would be good to know how at the very least.

I have seen many alleyways in our neighborhood that is for emergency vehicles to get closer to homes and trees are growing up in the middle of the road.  Can you imagine how long it would take a firetruck if it had to cut down a tree first.

OK my words aren't saying what I want to say.  

What is the key to preparation?

• Preparation is essential, not optional
• Being prepared saves time and money
• Failing to anticipate puts you at a competitive disadvantage (and in danger)

As an example here are some thoughts about preparing for an earth quake ... what is it in your life that could happen and how could you prepare?

1. Secure your space by identifying hazards and securing moveable items.

2. Plan to be safe by creating a disaster plan and deciding how you will communicate in an emergency.

3. Organize disaster supplies in convenient locations.

4. Minimize financial hardship by organizing important documents, strengthening your property, and considering insurance.

 

Reward of Righteousness

"Learn that he who doeth the works of righteousness shall receive his reward, even peace in this world, and eternal life in the world to come."

( Doctrine & Covenants 59:23 )

Adjustment/Light

"When darkness creeps into our lives, as it often does, our daily restoration opens our hearts to heavenly light, which illuminates our souls, chasing away shadows, fears, and doubts."  

(Daily Restoration     By Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf)

"We need an ongoing, daily infusion of heavenly light. We need “times of refreshing.” Times of personal restoration."

 

Open your eyes - and see.

The scriptures can fill the reader with joy as they received inspiration, direction, consolation, strength, and answers to their needs.

Open your eyes - and see, open your heart - and feel, open your mind - and learn.

Positive Thoughts

 “I have the power to accomplish everything I set out to do today.”

Positive thoughts are important...

We are children of God, and all the creations are for our good and enjoyment.

Hope

 "And what is it that ye shall hope for?  Behold I say unto you that ye shall have hope through the atonement of Christ and the power of his resurrection, to be raised unto life eternal, and this because of your faith in him according to the promise."                            

Moroni 7:41  

Chinese proverb

 

“The twisted tree lives its life, while the straight tree ends up in planks.”

 - Chinese proverb

Not sure I agree with this proverb - the crooked one these days would be chosen for an artful table.  The straight and tall shows it's strength.  Straight pine trees do get logged, which does make it true.

Happy New Year 2022

     By Mabel Jones Gabbott

I said to the wind,

“What shall I do?”

He whistled right back,

“Bring in the new!”

I looked at the sun

On the sparkling snow,

“You see everything,

Mr. Sun, do you know?”

“Day after day

I climb the sky.

Cloudy or blue,

You must always try.”

I asked a starling

With glossy black wing,

He chirped at me,

“Be happy and sing.”

At evening

The cool stars

Looked at me,

“Be kind,” they whispered,

“Constantly.”

“Now,” said my friends,

“You know what to do.

If you want to be happy,

It’s all up to you.”

What do you see?

 “What you see and what you hear depends a great deal on where you are standing. It also depends on what sort of person you are.” 

– C.S Lewis

Home is calling...

"Turn your soul toward the light. Begin your own wonderful journey home. As you do so, your life will be better, happier, and more purposeful."   by  Dieter F. Uchtdorf

"embrace the gospel in faith and deed, each day and every hour, we will draw a little closer to our God. Our lives will be better, and the Lord will use us in remarkable ways to bless those around us and bring about His eternal purposes."         by Dieter F. Uchtdorf

We are here to change.....

"With divine imperatives of love and faith, repentance and compassion, honesty and forgiveness, there is room in this choir for all who wish to be there. “Come as you are,”

 a loving Father says to each of us, but He adds, “Don’t plan to stay as you are.”

 We smile and remember that God is determined to make of us more than we thought we could be."

(Quote from "Songs Sung and Unsung" by Jeffery R Holland)

The atlas moths life is a great example of becoming.  We are quite clueless of our true potential and at each changing stage we may feel are life is over but then we are new. 

Education

"Education is the power to think clearly, the power to act well in the world's work, and the power to appreciate life."                               -Brigham Young

Tibetan Proverb according to fb

"The secret to living well and longer is eat half, walk double, laugh triple, and love without measure."

Love your spouse

"So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.  For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church." Ephesians 5:28-29  "If [young people] would resolve from the moment of their marriage, that from that time forth they would resolve and do everything in their power to please each other in things that are right . . . their home would indeed be a happy home. Great love is built on great sacrifice, and that home where the principle of sacrifice for the welfare of each other is daily expressed is that home where there abides a great love" (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Harold B. Lee, p. 111).

Choose



"You must make a counterculture decision to focus on becoming more like Jesus. Otherwise, other forces like peers, parents, co-workers, and culture will try to mold you into their image."

 - Rick Warren

You are valuable!

"You are valuable because you exist. Not because of what you do or what you have done, but simply because you are."

- Max Lucado   

 Each and every one, no matter if fantastic or viewed as less fantastic.