An unusual blessing

First of all, does anyone even read blogs anymore??  If you do, I'd love to have you comment just so I know...

Today I realized that I've been blessed with a very unusual blessing.  It's not one that most people would even count as an actual blessing but I've recognized it for what it is today.  I've been blessed with a horrible memory!  Now, why in the world would anyone say that's a blessing??  Well, I'll tell you a little later on.  Here are some examples of my horrible memory.

I was terrible at tests in school because I could never remember what I studied.  If I'm given a task to complete I have to write it down or I'll forget about it.  Even though it happens every week, I seem to forget every time that my daughter has piano lessons.  Often times my husband needs me to do something and it seems like the second I get off the phone with him, I get distracted and I forget.  I just finish reading an amazing book and someone will ask me about it and I sit there and think, hmmm, I can't remember details to tell them!  I never remember what I read in my scriptures from day to day!  (Ok, maybe a little but not specifics!)

Well, here's where it comes as a blessing.  I forget specifics about events.  Like, when someone does something to upset me, I quickly forget about it.  I always remember my feelings though about that event, just not what happened specifically.  Here's an example.  One time my husband and I were discussing an issue and I became upset because he wasn't respecting my feelings regarding it (ya, I don't remember what issue it was!).  I told him that he does that all the time to me and he wanted an example.  I couldn't give him one.  I just remembered FEELING like that before with similar situations.

I always remember how I FELT during a situation where I was being hurt for whatever reason, just not why.  I know this is a blessing because I'm pretty sure I'd be a grudge holder otherwise!  I know a few people in my life who hold grudges for-EVER!  They remember everything and can't seem to let it go.  I'm glad I can't do that!

I had a situation recently where I had my feelings hurt by someone close to me.  I was talking to my husband and I told him that if they called, not to answer the phone because I needed to sort out why I was mad at them.  He said, "You don't know why you're mad?"  I told him no, that I know they've done this to me before and they would want specifics on times they've done it in the past, but I couldn't remember any to tell them!  I just remember FEELING like this several times before around them.  My husband then went on to remind me of other specific times!

I know I could hold grudges for simply remembering how someone has made me feel but whats the point if I can't remember why I felt that way?  I know that it can be a challenge to have such a bad memory but at the same time, I recognize it as a blessing to be a lot more forgiving towards others.

I'm so grateful that my Heavenly Father knows me!  He knows that I hate it when I've hurt someone whether intentionally or not.  He knows that I have to forget about things and just let them go in order to be happy.  He knows my weaknesses and my strengths and He helps me with them when I ask.  Yes, I'm hurting right now for how my friends made me feel, but I know I'll be over it sooner then later because I'll forget about it.  I've never felt like one should always confront someone who has wronged them if you can just get over it, not let it get you down, and move on!  I'm thankful that the Lord has blessed me with being able to do just that!

I know my Heavenly Father lives!  I KNOW He's near me, watching over me and wanting me to be happy!  My motto lately is to just "Choose to be happy!"  It is our choice to be happy.  We can choose to fester over things or we can choose to get over them and move on.  Well, MOVE ON!  Is life really worth living if you're unhappy all the time?

This is where I hope to be someday; at my Saviors' feet being taught.  Being told that I've done enough.  Being told, "Well done though good and faithful servant.  Well done."

If The Savior Stood Beside Me

This is such a beautiful song!  I have a hard time not tearing up when I hear this!  I am so blessed to be in my wards' primary presidency that I get to hear those angelic children sing this every week!

Click on the words "If the Savior Stood Beside Me."  Listen to the words.  It really makes me think how I would really act if the Savior stood by me. 

When Satan gets me down. Again.

This last week I was looking on-line for a Menier's support group to get some ideas as to what people eat, how they manage their symptoms, etc.  Well, that's how Satan got his hold on my emotions and brought me down!  All I read on there were the worse-case-scenarios, the horror stories, the hell of this disease.  It scared the daylights out of me!  I got off of there in a complete panic and emotional fit! 

Later that night I had my husband give me a blessing of comfort so I could put it all behind me and remember the priesthood blessings I've been given and the experiences in the temple I've had that my health would be good. 

I've had several reminders from my dear mother, a friend of mine, and my husband that the only support group I need is right in front of me!  The church, the scriptures, and the Lord.  Period!  I'll tell you what!  Satan found his way to squeeze in and boy was it a hard squeeze!  I don't need that negativity and I refuse to let it happen again!  I've been told by the specialist I saw, by my bishop in a very comforting blessing, and by my husband in several blessings that I would have good health through all of this and I plan to have it that way!  There is a lot of power in positive thinking and surrounding yourself with positive people, media, and faith. 

In the middle of all of this, I was led to a scripture that has truly given me comfort. 

Alma 37:37 "Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good; yea, when thou liest down at night lie down unto the Lord, that he may watch over you in your sleep; and when thou risest in the morning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God; and if ye do these things, ye shall be lifted up at the last day." 

Here are a few more that I like.

Luke 8:48 "...Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole;  go in peace."

Rom. 15:4 "For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope." 

Keeping your marriage alive and happy!

I saw this today and LOVED it!  I thought I would post it for everyone to see!  I do not know who the original author is.


Keeping your marriage alive and happy!

1. PRAY TOGETHER ALWAYS
2. READ THE SCRIPTURES TOGETHER ALWAYS
3. Go on regular date nights
4. Hide notes in secret places
5. Go to bed at the same time
6. Listen to music together-share ear-buds
7. Buy him gifts he will love
8. Revitalize the romance with intimate dates
9. Wear shirts that tell the world you love your spouse
10. Praise your spouse to other people
11. Read a marriage devotional
12. Sleep in his t-shirts
13. Renew your vows privately with whispers and memories
14. Renew them publicly with cake and bubbly
15. Go away together at least once a year


For Women Only
16. Hang pictures of the two of you around your house
17. Make his favorite dessert
18. Make sex a priority
19. Spend time apart occasionally
20. Learn to enjoy something he loves
21. Surprise each other
22. Meet him at the door
23. Text each other from across the room
24. Set reminders on your phone to remember him/her throughout the week
25. Call him right now and tell him you appreciate him

For Men Only
26. Leave work on time and come home early
27. Engage every day in meaningful conversation
28. Compliment each other
29. Take one day a month to make your spouse your total focus
30. Argue fair: avoid these words “you always” and “you never”
31. Kiss every day
32. Find tangible ways to serve your mate without complaining
33. Forgive quickly
34. Be honest.
35. Get on the same page: plan your budget together
36. Look your best as often as you can
37. Guard your marriage
38. Laugh together
39. When you are together-BE TOGETHER (take a break from phones, technology, etc)
40. Tell her she’s pretty, especially when she’s not feeling it

Both
41. Make each other breakfast in bed
42. Do her chores for her
44. Get a couple’s massage or host your own privately
44. Dance together-soft music (both of you alone) or rocking music with the kids
45. Exercise together- hikes, bike riding, etc
46. Choose not to be annoyed by an irritating behavior/disappointment from your spouse
47. Thank your spouse often even for the least reason or gesture
48. Lay in bed together and stare into each other eyes, without talking
49. Learn something new together-take an art class, cooking lessons, etc
50. Leave a sweet comment on the Facebook wall
51. Support each other’s goals
52. Bring her flowers/gifts (even when she says they are too expensive)
53. Wear something your spouse loves
54. Share furniture-sit in his lap
55. Fight for your marriage
56. Make a point to eat dinner together most days of the week.
57. Never let your spouse feel like they come second place to your career or any other thing.
58. Talk about your dreams and aspirations. Be supportive of each other and dream big together!
59. Maintain a united front as your motto: Meaning- “Me and you against the world.
60. Speak well of your spouse.

The Atonement

In Sunday School this month we have been learning about the atonement of Jesus Christ.  No one really knows exactly what happened during the atonement but the Savior himself said in Luke 22:41-44,

"He was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed, Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me:  nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.  And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.  And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly:  and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground." 

I can't even imagine the physical, mental, and spiritual pain that he felt!  He even had the Spirit leave him! 

He did it for us!  For you!  For me!  He would have done it were I the only one living upon this earth.  That's how important it was for our salvation.  I am so grateful that I can have my burdens lifted because of it!  I can repent and have all that guilt taken away from me because of his atonement.  I know the Savior Jesus Christ is real!  I know He lives!  I know that he suffered in that garden so that I can repent and try each day to live a better life. 

The Atonement

Comfortings of the Spirit

Last month I saw a specialist in Salt Lake to get a diagnosis for the problems I've been having with my ear and with getting Vertigo.  The morning of, my husband and I decided to go through the LDS Salt Lake Temple.  We've never done a session there before so I was very excited to go!

There was a moment during the session when I felt a little off balance/dizzy sort of feeling.  It was a split second but it scared me and I didn't know if I was going to pass out right there in front of everyone.  I started to have a little panic attack.  I didn't tell Paul or anyone what was happening because I didn't want to embarrass myself.  A few minutes later I was still shaking, trying to take deep breaths, when I said a prayer in my mind.  I said, "Dear Heavenly Father, I need Thee to calm me down and comfort me!  I need Thee, in THIS moment, RIGHT NOW!"  Immediately, my body stopped shaking and I calmed right down.  It was the Lord that heard my prayer and blessed me in my time of need. 

Towards the end of that session, during a prayer, words were said that I knew were meant for me!  I knew the Lord knew of my concerns, my need to get an answer that day from the specialist, and my great desire to get over this anxiety that I'd developed over my symptoms.  The spirit was SO strong in that moment that I KNEW, without any doubt, that the Lord was speaking words of comfort directly to me.  I was going to be fine.  Everything was going to be okay!  This was a trial that I would be able to endure with His help. 

Later that day, after my appointment, everything WAS okay!  I'd received the answers I was looking for and the closure of having a diagnosis.  I was able to have the comfort that the Lord was mindful of me in my time of need.

 I KNOW that the Lord is mindful of us.  I KNOW that He is there and that He loves us!  It's not just a wishful thinking.  It's not just my mind hoping for some greater being.  This is a real knowledge!  I've physically felt His comfort and heard the whispering of the Spirit.  No one could ever convince me otherwise!