Cast Not Away Therefore Your Confidence

Yesterday, I ran into a friend that I had not seen in a long time. I love these kinds of reunions! We met in our home ward about seven years ago. She became a part of our family. The girls saw her as an aunt figure, someone they could play with and trust. I saw her as a friend and a wonderful role model for our children. Anyway, she moved and then we moved and life carried on.

I think yesterday's reunion was a little like Ammon's with Alma. It was so good to see her.

Anyway, in our conversation, she referred me to a talk given by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland.

"Cast Not Away Therefore Thy Confidence." (click here or here).

Here are some things Elder Holland teaches:

"First of all, revelation almost always comes in response to a question, usually an urgent question—not always, but usually. In that sense it does provide information, but it is urgently needed information, special information."

"Lesson number two is closely related. It is that in the process of revelation and making important decisions, fear plays a destructive, sometimes paralyzing role...That is the second lesson of the spirit of revelation. After you have gotten the message, after you have paid the price to feel His love and hear the word of the Lord, go forward. Don’t fear, don’t vacillate, don’t quibble, don’t whine. ... With the spirit of revelation, dismiss your fears and wade in with both feet. In the words of Joseph Smith, “Brethren [and sisters], shall we not go on in so great a cause? Go forward and not backward. Courage, brethren; and on, on to the victory!"

"The third lesson from the Lord’s spirit of revelation ...is that along with the illuminating revelation that points us toward a righteous purpose or duty, God will also provide the means and power to achieve that purpose. Trust in that eternal truth. If God has told you something is right, if something is indeed true for you, He will provide the way for you to accomplish it. That is true of joining the Church or raising a family, of going on a mission, or any one of a hundred other worthy tasks in life."

So, this morning, I read Elder Holland's talk. I loved it!  Reading his words gives me absolute confidence to follow the spirit's direction especially. Particularly after the spirit has given me a deifinite answer. And boy, has  anxiety and doubt crept...maybe more like stormed in after answers had come. I do not need to tvivla (This word most accurately describes what I am trying to say. It is Swedish for doubt, but it means more that the word doubt in English.) Hesitate. Vacillate. Rethink. JUST MOVE FORWARD.

I think, because anxiety and depression have been a difficult burden, and yet these two things have played a vital role in my faith and coming to know Christ, Elder Holland's words give me direction and clarity to hold to those feelings of the spirit.

HOLD ON TIGHT!

MOVE FORWARD WITH FAITH!

And then I as I do, I will SEE and FEEL the confidence of the Lord.

DO WHAT THE SPIRIT DIRECTS  and

DON'T LOOK BACK or QUESTION the feelings that came.

Because that lays weedy seeds of doubt that quickly overtake my mind and heart.

The beauty of living prophets is that THEIR WORDS ARE TRUE!  From God! I can follow them and KNOW that they will ALWAYS lead me to a happy life. NEVER to a place of unhappiness.

I see the Hand of the Lord today

I see the Hand of the Lord today.

This morning, when I felt too tired to get out of bed and study together with DH,
I felt the tug of the Spirit to go,

and

heard the tender words of my husband
that his day runs so much smoother when we have our study time,

and so,

I listened.

This morning, as he and I read together,
I learned from Lehi's example,
that in all things and in all times I can show gratitude to Heavenly Father.

This morning, when the girls came up for prayers, breakfast and scriptures,
they were willing, and cheerful,
albeit tired.

This morning, when I knelt to pray, 
I felt the Spirit's comfort.

This morning, before our children left for school,
their grandma gave each of them a hug
and an "I love you!"

Friends

I connected with dear friend yesterday. Ah. Isn't Heavenly Father so kind.

Many dear and lasting friendships have come through serving in the Church. Somehow, I feel like my heart meshes with the people I serve...our hearts becoming one.

And so when the callings ends, my heart is still close to those I've served and served with...and reconnecting just happens so naturally as if time has not lapsed.

Isn't Heavenly Father so kind to let us serve in His church? Mmmm. Gives me new perspective on one heart and one mind.

Final thoughts before I shut off the computer and climb back into bed

So much has happened over the past days, they mesh together and I realize that the Lord has done so much to provide a way for us. Some tender mercies of the Lord:

Healing.

My husband's back that was soooo out after sleeping on the hospital bed is doing very well.

Lessons about Heavenly Father's love for me
His son
my daughter
and understanding experiences and pain.

Warm meals.

Kind words and phone calls.

Prayers and fasts.

Family together.

Priesthood blessings for sick baby and a troubled hearted mom.

Comfort from the Holy Ghost.

Friends.

Book of Mormon.

Whispers of "I love you" from my children.

Rest.

"MEE Speaks"

Yes, yet another post...on Pizza

So, I got a call from a dear friend in Washington on Tuesday asking about our Kawasaki girl. She has had experience in the heart arena as she has a child who was born with heart problems. And she had been in and out of hospitals many times.

She asked my address and said, "I'm sending pizza. There's nothing like coming home from the hospital to a warm meal."

I remembered thinking, "You can do that from states away?"

Ah the power of technology.

Thank you friend for dinner and a cold breakfast pizza!

And that same night, two other ward families brought dinner. We've been well fed :).
Thank you!!!