One of my best friends, whether she knows it fully or not, has subtly helped me through this dark time in my life. Last week she gave me a few scriptures to read which helped, really helped, to break me free of this dark time. At least spiritually. She helped me to recognize when the spirit has spoken to me and that I need to have faith and hope in the Lord through these trials.
Doctrine and Covenants 6:14-16, 21-24, 33-37
14 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, blessed art thou for what thou hast done; for thou hast ainquired of me, and behold, as often as thou hast inquired thou hast received instruction of my Spirit. If it had not been so, thou wouldst not have come to the place where thou art at this time.
15 Behold, thou knowest that thou hast inquired of me and I did enlighten thy amind; and now I tell thee these things that thou mayest know that thou hast been benlightened by the cSpirit of truth;
16 Yea, I tell thee, that thou mayest know that there is none else save God that aknowest thy thoughts and the bintents of thy cheart.
21 Behold, I am Jesus Christ, the aSon of God. I am the same that came unto mine bown, and mine own received me not. I am the clight which shineth in ddarkness, and the darkness comprehendeth it not.
22 Verily, verily, I say unto you, if you desire a further witness, cast your mind upon the night that you cried unto me in your heart, that you might aknow concerning the truth of these things.
23 Did I not speak apeace to your mind concerning the matter? What greater bwitness can you have than from God?
24 And now, behold, you have received a awitness; for if I have btold you things which no man knoweth have you not received a witness?
33 aFear not to do bgood, my sons, for whatsoever ye csow, that shall ye also reap; therefore, if ye sow dgood ye shall also reap good for your ereward.
34 Therefore, fear not, little aflock; do good; let earth and hell combine against you, for if ye are bbuilt upon my rock, they cannot prevail.
35 Behold, I do not condemn you; go your ways and asin no more; perform with soberness the work which I have commanded you.
36 aLook unto me in every bthought; cdoubt not, fear not.
37 aBehold the wounds which pierced my side, and also the prints of the bnails in my hands and feet; be faithful, keep my commandments, and ye shall cinherit the dkingdom of heaven. Amen.
I've had a hard time lately recognizing if certain thoughts are my own or from the Spirit. These verses helped to clarify that and I DO know that the Lord hears my prayers and that he'll bless us eventually, with those righteous desires as long as we're doing our part. We must continually be trying to reach a new spiritual level for ourselves. Today I was reading the December issue of the Ensign and decided to take this challenge. I know it'll make it easier to see my blessing through my trials. So I'm going to record it here for my own reflection.
Gratitude Challenge
10 physical abilities you are grateful for.
1. Running. I love to run! I can't imagine my life without being able to run.
2. Hearing. I am SO grateful that I still have 1 good ear to hear my children's laughter. To hear my husbands loving voice. To hear our Prophet speak to us. To hear inspirational music.
3. Playing with my children.
4. Reading. I love to get caught up in a good novel! I love to read my scriptures.
5. Touch. I love to cuddle with my husband. I love to hug and hold my children. I love to kiss their cheeks!
6. Smell. I love the smell of my children after they've had a bath! I love the smell of fresh baked bread. I love the smell of fresh bloomed lilac bushes!
7. Sight. I love to watch my kids play together(on the days they're getting along!). I love watching my husband work. He's a hard worker and loves building things!
8. Playing the piano. I've played since I was 4. I love sitting down and getting lost in playing beautiful songs.
9. Laughing. I love to laugh! It brightens any hard day!
10. Singing. I love to sing! I have a fear of singing a solo in front of people but I'll do a duet any day with someone! I'll sing my heart out at my piano when no one is around!
10 material possessions you are grateful for.
1. My home.
2. My piano.
3. My scriptures.
4. My books.
5. My running shoes.
6. My car.
7. My clothes.
8. My bed. I LOVE LOVE LOVE flannel sheets!
9. Clocks. I hate being late to anything!
10. My yard. I have a large yard with tons of trees, hammocks, picnic tables and garden. It's a sanctuary.
10 living people you are grateful for.
1. My husband.
2. My children.
3. My parents.
4. My in-laws.
5. The prophet of our church.
6. Marcia Lynn McClure. (I love getting wrapped up in one of her books!)
7. Emi, Shayla, Stephanie, Tara, Alycia. I'm being 1st name specific because you mean so much to me in my life right now! I love you! (this does not exclude others who have touched my life at other times!)
8. My siblings.
9. Grace Wilson. She's my 3rd grandmother who loves my family like her own!
10. My cousin Cortney. Thanks for teaching me a lesson on never ending faith, hope and patience!
10 deceased people you are grateful for.
1. Jesus Christ. How could we be here without Him?
2. Grandma Koon. Such a great example of acceptance of others!
3. Grandpa Fielding. One of the best examples of hard work I've ever seen!
4. My father-in-law, Dan Ellsworth. My life is better simply because I had the blessing of knowing him for 2 short years.
5. Beethoven. My first reason for my love of music!
6. Joseph Smith. The restored Gospel of Jesus Christ is on this earth again because of him!
7. Steve Jobs. Thanks for inventing the Mac computer and the iPad! Enough said! :)
8. My great grandpa Roy Fielding. One of the best examples of forgiveness I know!
9. Jeff Richards. Benjamin on 7 Brides for 7 Brothers. My first movie crush and the reason I love musicals so much!
10. Whoever first invented chocolate! Thank you...
10 things about nature you are grateful for.
1. The smell of pine.
2. Cool lakes.
3. Trails to hike and run on.
4. The smell of lilacs (yes, I'll say it again!)
5. The smell of rain.
6. The view of the mountains out my window.
7. Trees to climb in.
8. Apple trees, nectarine trees, and avacado trees!
9. Warm beaches and the sound of the ocean.
10. The sound of birds in the morning summer sun.
10 things about today you are grateful for.
1. Being able to go to church.
2. Partaking of the sacrament.
3. The Sunday School lesson.
4. The Relief Society lesson.
5. Choir practice.
6. Relaxing on my bed all afternoon!
7. A nap that I don't normally like taking.
8. Time with my family.
9. Quiet time with Paul.
10. Hearing my children's laughter while playing together.
10 places on earth you are grateful for.
1. My home.
2. My parents' home.
3. Nyssa, OR.
4. Cancun, Mexico.
5. Seattle, WA.
6. Washington, D.C.
7. Florida.
8. McCall, ID.
9. Pittsburgh, PA.
10. My grandparents' homes.
(These are all the places I've made the best memories!)
10 modern inventions you are grateful for.
1. My computer.
2. My Bosch.
3. My treadmill.
4. My TV.
5. Chocolate factories.
6. Book publishers.
7. Electricity.
8. Indoor plumbing.
9. The internet.
10. My car.
10 foods you are grateful for.
1. Nectarines.
2. Chocolate.
3. Steak and potatoes.
4. Seafood.
5. Coconut.
6. Angel Food Cake.
7. Oranges.
8. Bananas.
9. Homemade bread.
10. Fresh Raspberries.
10 things about the gospel you are grateful for.
1. The Atonement.
2. The Sacrament.
3. Forgiveness.
4. The Scriptures.
5. The Temple.
6. The Plan of Salvation.
7. The Restoration of the Gospel.
8. Relief Society.
9. Primary.
10. The Priesthood.
I'm grateful for being able to reflect on these things. Most of them aren't in any particular order and they are the first things to come to mind. Some of them I had to think about for a long time but I'm very grateful for all that I have and I know the Lord will continue to bless me! This list will probably be different if I did it again in another year or even another month but it doesn't make me any less grateful for those things that might not be on this list again. I love the Lord and the many blessings he has blessed me with!
