sticky notes of love

My mind is racing all over the place! It has been a crazy last few days. I have been out of my normal area and in Jacksonville. I was not used to all the traffic and the hustle and bustle of the city. I missed my little Country town. I missed the zillions of stars and the quiet, peaceful back roads. I was so thankful to be back into my own area. Coming back meant bringing a new companion with me. Fear soon settled into my mind and the thought of "starting over" played over and over in my head. It was not a thought that I wanted. But the tender mercies of the Lord were all over when we walked into our apartment.

My former Companion had put sticky notes all over my wall to thank me. Even though I didn't feel like I had done anything. On each note was something that she liked about me or something that I had taught her. Tears settled in and I could feel the Spirit testify to me that what I was doing was right. That is one of the best feelings ever. These last few days have taught me a lot about being humble. Preach my Gospel talks about humility. It says when you are humble "You are confident that you can do whatever the Lord requires of you if you rely on Him." I will not lie to you. I have a hard time being humble. But I am so thankful for the lessons that I have learned about this Christ like attribute!

I cant explain to you the exact moment that humbled me. I cant pin point my feelings that helped me learn this valuable lesson but I am so grateful that it happened. I have full faith and trust in my Savior Jesus Christ. One of my favorite Scriptures is Alma 26:12, "Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak.."  I was trying to take on the world by myself, but was brought to realize that I am not alone in this. Through all the events and advice that I have been given the last week or so I have learned so much! James E. Faust said  "...It is the humility that allows us to accept and live with our own warts, without cosmetics to hide them.” Step back for a second! Think of the Lord and all that He has done for you. The marvelous things that He has planned for you and I promise that you will be brought to humility. You will come to know just like I did that I can not do it alone but with Him I can do all things!

a special Christmas

As the Christmas season approaches I cant help but think of the excitement and the joy of this wonderful Holiday season. The Prophet Thomas S. Monson said "This is a glorious time of the year, simple in origin, deep in meaning, beautiful in tradition and custom, rich in memories, and charitable in spirit. It has an attraction to which our hearts are readily drawn. This joyful season brings to each of us a measure of happiness that corresponds to the degree in which we have turned our mind, feelings, and actions to the spirit of Christmas."

Since I am away from my family and have been for over a year I have been thinking of something special that I could give them. "We all enjoy giving and receiving presents. But there is a difference between presents and gifts. The true gifts may be part of ourselves--giving of the riches of the heart and mind--and therefore more enduring and of far greater worth than presents bought at the store." (James E. Faust) As I have been thinking of this I have really caught on to the true spirit of Christmas. To me it doesn't matter what is under my tree, or in the mail. It matters that it came from someone that I love. The birth of Christ was not wrapped in sparkling paper with a HUGE glittering bow. It was not expensive and didnt take up a ton or room. It was a humble and quiet birth. So too my gifts should be. His birth and life was a testimony that Heavenly Father lives and that He loves us. The Atonement also was a gift of love. This Christmas I am going back to the basics. I am creating lasting gifts that will bring in the Spirit and touch the hearts of those that I love. What a better time to offer your testimony of the Savior Jesus Christ and to share how He blesses your life.

Step back for just a second. Remember the true meaning of Christmas and make this year a year to never forget. Make this season centered on Jesus Christ. After all He is the real reason to celebrate.

oh deer

Thanksgiving morning we were part of a "special moving team." We were asked to help a member move one of his deer from one pen to another. Our job, in moving this sleeping doe, was to hold her head so that it wouldn't hit anything. Silly me let it slip right out of my hands. Luckily she was still OK. She was sound asleep and snoring like a baby. After we had her on the stretcher, we moved her from one pen to the next, while she lay there with no resistance.

I couldn't help but realize how easy and simple it was to help her into a better situation. She wasn't in danger, she wasn't harmed but we knew where she would be happier. Sure she may have struggled for a little while but once the "dart" set in, she was submissive and ready to be helped. Often times we are not this submissive. We may not be in harm, we may not be in danger but our Father in Heaven knows where we will be happier. Once we let the "dart" of humility set into our hearts then we allow Him to help us.

The Scriptures remind us over and over to be "...humble, and be submissive and gentle..." (Alma 7:13)

"I once owned a pen that I loved to use during my career as an airline captain. By simply turning the shaft, I could choose one of four colors. The pen did not complain when I wanted to use red ink instead of blue. ...With greatest reliability it performed every task I needed, no matter how important or insignificant. It was always ready to serve." (President Dieter F. Uchtdorf)

I have seen in my own life how being submissive and humble brings about greater blessings. As I have been ready to serve and given up my will and selfish wants for the greater happiness of my brothers and sisters I have seen my Savior's love in everything that I do. I have felt the blessings pour down from Heaven. We may not want to admit that we are being prideful, we may not want to say that we are doing what we want. But we need to step back and see if we are allowing our Savior to hold our heads and our Father in Heaven to move us to a happier place in this world. "Life is hard, but the Gospel is easy." (President Barry)