Month 2: Becoming Willing
This weeks objective was to consider "The name written always in your heart."
The most important things we do in this life will be done in the name of Jesus Christ. After birth I was blessed in the name of Jesus Christ, at 8 I was baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, here in a couple years I will be sealed for time and all eternity to the love of my life in the name of Jesus Christ, I've said and will say many late night pleading prayers in the name of Jesus Christ, I've had the most special priesthood blessings in the name of Jesus Christ, I have taken countless sacraments in the name of Jesus Christ, I have repented and been forgiven because of the atonement of Jesus Christ, my children will experience these things in the name of Jesus Christ, I have acted in the name of Jesus Christ.... There are many things we do in His great and glorious name, but is His name written upon our hearts?
This chapter asked ways we can write His name in our hearts, but as I thought about it, it's not really us who does the writing. WE have to pick a tool and allow HIM to write it.
First we must open our hearts so that He can enter in, but we must also decide how He writes it. So have you let Him write His name upon your heart? If so, is it written in pencil? Can I be worn down and erased under pressure? Is it in washable marker? Is it in sharpie that slowly fades as time goes on? Or is it engraved and there to stay forever?
As much as I wish He engraved it in my heart I will be honest and say that it is probably more like sharpie. Although it is fairly permanent it sometimes fades in one spot or another. I touch it up every once in a while, but I wish it was permanent and there forever. That after all is the goal!
This next week I want to write His name not only on my heart but on my hand. I'm going to take a marker and write it on my hand every morning, then every time I look at my hand I will see His name. I'm hoping that it will make me think of Him often and help me through out the day, as well as making a more permanent mark on my heart.
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
Thursday, October 17, 2013
Week 4: Becoming More..
This week was the final week in the first chapter and boy was it a good one. The challenge was to BECOME.... To apply everything I've learned this month and to continue on my journey to become more... "more Savior like thee..."
What does it mean to "become more"? Become more spiritual, more trustworthy, more kind, more patient, more understanding, more happy, more loving, more supportive, more perfect, more righteous, more friendly, more strong...... more what? There is so many things we could "become more" at.... which one should we choose?
Our journey is just like that of a butterfly. "It can't be shortened, and no one can do it for us. Think of a butterfly. Part of the transformation is a building process, which requires hard work and dedication from the caterpillar--first gathering strength and sustenance, then spinning and weaving. But that process in and of itself is not enough. The other part of the process requires a season of stillness, of patience, of waiting. It is the combination of the two that allows the caterpillar to be transformed from what it once was into what God intended it to be-- to become more. Just as a butterfly will die if the human hand assists the process, our transformation will not be complete without total effort on our part. It is the person natures of our experiences that enables the transformation to take place. Because of this, there is no process more insightful than becoming. It is the act of leaving behind something you already are in the hope of what you might become."
We are as caterpillars..... sometimes we are ugly, slimy, and gross!!! But you ARE intended for more! You were created with the purpose of becoming something far more beautiful and greater than what you have been! But like the caterpillar we have to be "all in"... We have to do everything that we possibly can to become more.... and then we wait. Once you have given everything you can you must be patient and allow Him to fill in for everything you just cannot do. He will transform you. He is the cocoon. He covers you. He protects you. He changes you! He makes you more!
So what do I need to become more of....? "More Savior like thee." That covers all the bases doesn't it? He lived so perfectly. He set the example. We want to be as He was. We want to be like Him. Through Him we become more.
This week I have realized that we become more when we help others become more. In others times of need and struggles... we can be there to support and uplift.... when we get down on our knees... when we learn who we are and who's we are.... when we serve the Lord and others.... when we read the scriptures.... when we keep the commandments.... when we learn to lean and trust in our Savior... when we understand and use the atonement... when we come together as companions and family.... This is when we are more! And the best thing is... there is no end!!! You can ALWAYS become more! Just like the caterpillar we will finally make our journey to become more and once we are finished we will have beautiful wings to fly!!
What does it mean to "become more"? Become more spiritual, more trustworthy, more kind, more patient, more understanding, more happy, more loving, more supportive, more perfect, more righteous, more friendly, more strong...... more what? There is so many things we could "become more" at.... which one should we choose?
Our journey is just like that of a butterfly. "It can't be shortened, and no one can do it for us. Think of a butterfly. Part of the transformation is a building process, which requires hard work and dedication from the caterpillar--first gathering strength and sustenance, then spinning and weaving. But that process in and of itself is not enough. The other part of the process requires a season of stillness, of patience, of waiting. It is the combination of the two that allows the caterpillar to be transformed from what it once was into what God intended it to be-- to become more. Just as a butterfly will die if the human hand assists the process, our transformation will not be complete without total effort on our part. It is the person natures of our experiences that enables the transformation to take place. Because of this, there is no process more insightful than becoming. It is the act of leaving behind something you already are in the hope of what you might become."
We are as caterpillars..... sometimes we are ugly, slimy, and gross!!! But you ARE intended for more! You were created with the purpose of becoming something far more beautiful and greater than what you have been! But like the caterpillar we have to be "all in"... We have to do everything that we possibly can to become more.... and then we wait. Once you have given everything you can you must be patient and allow Him to fill in for everything you just cannot do. He will transform you. He is the cocoon. He covers you. He protects you. He changes you! He makes you more!
So what do I need to become more of....? "More Savior like thee." That covers all the bases doesn't it? He lived so perfectly. He set the example. We want to be as He was. We want to be like Him. Through Him we become more.
This week I have realized that we become more when we help others become more. In others times of need and struggles... we can be there to support and uplift.... when we get down on our knees... when we learn who we are and who's we are.... when we serve the Lord and others.... when we read the scriptures.... when we keep the commandments.... when we learn to lean and trust in our Savior... when we understand and use the atonement... when we come together as companions and family.... This is when we are more! And the best thing is... there is no end!!! You can ALWAYS become more! Just like the caterpillar we will finally make our journey to become more and once we are finished we will have beautiful wings to fly!!
Wednesday, October 9, 2013
Week 3: Come unto me
I don't think its any surprise that they used this saying alot during conference.
This weeks challenge was to ponder ways we can come unto Him.
We were assigned to read Matthew 5.
There is something about Matthew 5:1 that really stands out to me. It reads, "He went up into the mountain and when He was set, His disciples came unto Him. Often times I find myself praying ,"Heavenly Father please let me be near you." "Help me to become closer to you." Well He can be close to you. He is always near you. But in order for you to feel Him you must GO UNTO HIM! I liked how He was set up on a mountain and His disciples came unto Him.
He is set up on a mountain... higher than the rest of us. He is up higher where He can watch us. He sees us. He sees our journey and what we go through. He sees our actions and watches the things we choose to do. He is higher than we are. He is more perfect than we are. We can look up and see Him in all his glory. We want to be as He is so we must choose to make the hard journey up the mountain... but don't worry. Someone who loves you very much went before you. In fact He laid a path for you, a trail, and if you so happen to wander off the trail or slip and fall down the mountain, He is there.. He is at the top and He loves you so much that He will help you back up. He wants you back up. He wants you at the top with Him... all you have to do is make the decision to climb.... "Don't forget to look up."
As His disciples we must make the decision to follow Him, to come unto Him. This journey to become His WILL be life changing. But only to the extent that WE allow it. We must turn to Him. We must make time for Him. Sometimes we need to leave the multitude and come unto Him... even if it means we come alone. It is often in these times, by ourselves, that we can truly hear what He has to say to us. When we are alone in a quiet and peaceful place... truly searching for Him, He can come unto you and share the message He has prepared just for you.
Unlike His disciples of old we don't have to climb a mountain to hear Him. When you sit down at night to read your scriptures, when you kneel down daily for prayer, when you go to church and keep the commandments, when you listen and view media that is good, when you watch general conference or sing hymns.... there are many ways we can "Come unto Him." But we must first have the desire to be with Him in order for Him to meet us halfway.
You are a light on hill. You are held on the shiniest of candle sticks. Be not hidden under a bushel. Shine your light so that the whole world may see. Do not be afraid to shine. Share the gospel. Serve a mission. Love the Lord. But more importantly..... Come unto Him!! :) <3
This weeks challenge was to ponder ways we can come unto Him.
We were assigned to read Matthew 5.
There is something about Matthew 5:1 that really stands out to me. It reads, "He went up into the mountain and when He was set, His disciples came unto Him. Often times I find myself praying ,"Heavenly Father please let me be near you." "Help me to become closer to you." Well He can be close to you. He is always near you. But in order for you to feel Him you must GO UNTO HIM! I liked how He was set up on a mountain and His disciples came unto Him.
He is set up on a mountain... higher than the rest of us. He is up higher where He can watch us. He sees us. He sees our journey and what we go through. He sees our actions and watches the things we choose to do. He is higher than we are. He is more perfect than we are. We can look up and see Him in all his glory. We want to be as He is so we must choose to make the hard journey up the mountain... but don't worry. Someone who loves you very much went before you. In fact He laid a path for you, a trail, and if you so happen to wander off the trail or slip and fall down the mountain, He is there.. He is at the top and He loves you so much that He will help you back up. He wants you back up. He wants you at the top with Him... all you have to do is make the decision to climb.... "Don't forget to look up."
As His disciples we must make the decision to follow Him, to come unto Him. This journey to become His WILL be life changing. But only to the extent that WE allow it. We must turn to Him. We must make time for Him. Sometimes we need to leave the multitude and come unto Him... even if it means we come alone. It is often in these times, by ourselves, that we can truly hear what He has to say to us. When we are alone in a quiet and peaceful place... truly searching for Him, He can come unto you and share the message He has prepared just for you.
Unlike His disciples of old we don't have to climb a mountain to hear Him. When you sit down at night to read your scriptures, when you kneel down daily for prayer, when you go to church and keep the commandments, when you listen and view media that is good, when you watch general conference or sing hymns.... there are many ways we can "Come unto Him." But we must first have the desire to be with Him in order for Him to meet us halfway.
You are a light on hill. You are held on the shiniest of candle sticks. Be not hidden under a bushel. Shine your light so that the whole world may see. Do not be afraid to shine. Share the gospel. Serve a mission. Love the Lord. But more importantly..... Come unto Him!! :) <3
Wednesday, October 2, 2013
Thankful Prayer Challenge :)
This week while surfing the internet like I do I came across a girl who I just love!!! Her name is Al Fox but she is also known as the tattooed Mormon. She is a convert to the church and just got married for time and all eternity to her husband. She is an LDS motivational speaker. She is so AWESOME!! :)
Anyways on her blog she had challenged herself to a day full of thankful prayer. She picked a day and then set the rules. She would not ask for anything. In all her prayers she would only thank God. I decide to try it. Friday morning I knelt down and said my morning prayer. I thanked God for the things He had given me. It was pretty short sweet and to the point. But I noticed when I said my prayer before scripture study I thanked Him for the scriptures He had given me (rather than asking for His help and for His spirit in my study). It was an incredible scripture study. I read things that I really needed to hear. As I knelt down for my night time prayer I found it being rather lengthy. All the sudden I found myself unable to stop thanking my Heavenly Father for all that He had given me. I was able to really look at His hand in my life and at all the blessings I had been given. I guess what I really learned in this was to 1) not take His blessings for granted. If you woke up with only the things you thanked Heavenly Father for the night before what would you have... and 2) there is ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS something to be thankful for!
I really suggest trying this. It was such a great experience! :)
Week 2: Waters of Mormon
This weeks challenge was to act upon this..... It asked to look back and remember a time when you have had a "Waters of Mormon" experience. Well what is a Waters of Mormon experience? It gave this chapter to study, Mosiah 18.
The Waters of Mormon was a very special place. I'm sure it was incredibly beautiful with lots of trees and flowers. It had to be the most gorgeous place. But it was so much more beautiful to the people that experienced what they did there. Alma preached unto the people there about the gospel... (kinda like a mission :) ) after preaching the blessings of the gospel and of the true repentance and forgiveness that can be felt through this gospel many people wanted to be baptized.... over 200!!! But unfortunately the practicing of religions was illegal according to the King. But can anyone really ever go against God? He can move mountains... surely He can give these people the promise of baptism. So Alma was instructed to take the people down into the beautiful forest, and in the forest was a beautiful body of water.. (river if I remember right?) and in this river was the most pure water, and one by one Alma took the people and baptized them. Giving them peace and atonement and the gift of the Holy Ghost.
So how can we have a "Waters of Mormon" experience? In my opinion a Water of Mormon experience in our lives today would be any situation where we see God's hand in our lives. Anytime we can find Him in our lives or feel His presence with us is a Waters of Mormon experience. So when have I felt this?
A sure time this week where I can look back and say I had a WoM experience is when I was really struggling this week with Logan being gone. I was just really missing him and devastated I hadn't heard from him. Then I really started to question. What if he's changed? What if he doesn't feel the same? What if he doesn't want to be with me while he's on his mission? What if I'm just a big distraction to him? I just really needed to hear from Logan. Well Sunday night when I was struggling I got down on my knees.... Heavenly Father please let me hear from Logan..... I went to bed that night and woke up to a phone call only 5 hours later. "Makalyn there's a letter here for you!!!" I was so ecstatic!!! I have never sprang out of bed so fast!!! In the letter Logan said everything I need to hear.... He loves me even more than when he left and I him. I know that God loves us and wants us to be happy. I know that He knows what we need long before we can kneel down and ask. I know He wants the best for me and most importantly that He hears and answers prayers. I am so thankful for the Waters of Mormon experience I have had in my life and the people I have been blessed enough to experience them with. I know that my Elder Elison is not only experiencing Waters of Mormon experiences.... but he is literally (like Alma) giving these experiences to those he meets and teaches and hopefully baptizes. I am so thankful for his great example in my life and for Heavenly Fathers comforting hand in my life! <3 :)
The Waters of Mormon was a very special place. I'm sure it was incredibly beautiful with lots of trees and flowers. It had to be the most gorgeous place. But it was so much more beautiful to the people that experienced what they did there. Alma preached unto the people there about the gospel... (kinda like a mission :) ) after preaching the blessings of the gospel and of the true repentance and forgiveness that can be felt through this gospel many people wanted to be baptized.... over 200!!! But unfortunately the practicing of religions was illegal according to the King. But can anyone really ever go against God? He can move mountains... surely He can give these people the promise of baptism. So Alma was instructed to take the people down into the beautiful forest, and in the forest was a beautiful body of water.. (river if I remember right?) and in this river was the most pure water, and one by one Alma took the people and baptized them. Giving them peace and atonement and the gift of the Holy Ghost.
So how can we have a "Waters of Mormon" experience? In my opinion a Water of Mormon experience in our lives today would be any situation where we see God's hand in our lives. Anytime we can find Him in our lives or feel His presence with us is a Waters of Mormon experience. So when have I felt this?
A sure time this week where I can look back and say I had a WoM experience is when I was really struggling this week with Logan being gone. I was just really missing him and devastated I hadn't heard from him. Then I really started to question. What if he's changed? What if he doesn't feel the same? What if he doesn't want to be with me while he's on his mission? What if I'm just a big distraction to him? I just really needed to hear from Logan. Well Sunday night when I was struggling I got down on my knees.... Heavenly Father please let me hear from Logan..... I went to bed that night and woke up to a phone call only 5 hours later. "Makalyn there's a letter here for you!!!" I was so ecstatic!!! I have never sprang out of bed so fast!!! In the letter Logan said everything I need to hear.... He loves me even more than when he left and I him. I know that God loves us and wants us to be happy. I know that He knows what we need long before we can kneel down and ask. I know He wants the best for me and most importantly that He hears and answers prayers. I am so thankful for the Waters of Mormon experience I have had in my life and the people I have been blessed enough to experience them with. I know that my Elder Elison is not only experiencing Waters of Mormon experiences.... but he is literally (like Alma) giving these experiences to those he meets and teaches and hopefully baptizes. I am so thankful for his great example in my life and for Heavenly Fathers comforting hand in my life! <3 :)
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