Seek ye first to build up the Kingdom of God

Dear Sisters,

A couple weeks ago, I was gifted an old sturdy dresser. Doug wasn't too excited, but I convinced him I would spruce it up, and that it was a good idea.  Last week, I was sanding down the dresser to paint it; however, my project was interrupted with other duties and I decided I would have to finish it the following day.  While I was at work the next day, we got an abundance of rain, and I came home to a completely ruined dresser.  It was totally warped, and the water damage was beyond repair.  I was discourage and frustrated with myself for not finishing the project, then to add insult to injury, as Doug and I were lifting this extremely heavy dresser to put it in the back of the truck and take it away, Doug's hand got stuck in between the trail-gait and the dresser while I lifting and pushing hard.  Due to our lack of communicating, I just kept right on pushing, and in pain, he dropped the dresser, which landed directly on my big toe.  Even with shoes on, it smashed the nail and took the skin off of top.  It was very painful for both of us.

I know... this is kind of a sad series of events, and I'm sure you are wondering why I would depress you with my silly first-world problems, but I learned two lessons from this experience that I was wanted to share.

1) Simplify.  We didn't really need the dresser in the first place.  Sometimes, it's ok to pass up a good deal or let something go. (Just not on your toe ;)  In the end, it's just stuff, and we can't take it with us.

"The prophet Alma taught, “Seek not after riches nor the vain things of this world; for behold, you cannot carry them with you” (Alma 39:14). You’ve probably heard the saying “You can’t take it with you.” Well, it’s scriptural.

So where should our focus be? The Savior has told us to look beyond the way station of this world toward our final destination. He said, “Seek not the things of this world but seek ye first to build up the kingdom of God, and to establish his righteousness” (Joseph Smith Translation, Matthew 6:38). He also taught, “Thou shalt lay aside the things of this world, and seek for the things of a better” (D&C 25:10)."

2) It is so important to communicate.  If Doug and I would have talked through our "lifting the dresser" job, we both would have been spared a lot of pain.

One LDS marriage counselor has written: “Effective communication is more than just ‘talking,’ it is the type of interaction that gets the job done: solves problems, builds self-esteem, enhances the relationships, relays important messages, reinforces mutual respect, and helps bond the couple together as an effective unit.” 1

Maybe, these lessons seem obvious, but I had to learn them the hard way, so hopefully this week, you remember to keep life simple by seeking first the Kingdom of God, and communicate.  

I care so much about you and hope you have a wonderful week!

Sincerely,

Lydia

"Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings"

Dear Sisters,

I just had a quick thought for you today. It is almost more for your husband or the priesthood men of our ward, but maybe you can pass it a long. :)

I just want to share my testimony of the importance of family councils. One form a council can take is a personal interview. My sweet hubby recently started interviewing our children once a week. He pulls the kids into his office one at a time and talks with them. Sometimes afterwords, he has approached me with things like, "Brigham is worried he doesn't have enough clothes." Or "Amberlee is having a hard time in her math class." At first, I was almost irritated that they confided in him so much. I talk to my kids regularly and I like to think I am pretty involved in their lives, but I was amazed to see how much they open up to him. The brethren have a special ability to connect with and be powerful examples to their children. I feel grateful for Doug's example and willingness to be a great father. I think it is making a difference in our home.

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You may find yourself in a different circumstances, but this council from Elder Ballard can still apply to your family:

"A family council, when conducted with love and with Christlike attributes, will counter the impact of modern technology that often distracts us from spending quality time with each other and also tends to bring evil right into our homes.

Children desperately need parents willing to listen to them, and the family council can provide a time during which family members can learn to understand and love one another.

Alma taught, “Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good.” Inviting the Lord to be part of our family council through prayer will improve our relationships with each other. We can, with Heavenly Father and our Savior’s help, become more patient, thoughtful, helpful, forgiving, and understanding as we pray for help. With Their help, we can make our homes a little bit of heaven here on earth."

I encourage you to council in your families or council with the Lord, whatever your circumstances. No matter your age or stage, especially take time to connect with your children. Have a little personal interview with them and increase the communication within your home. I testify you will find opportunities to teach and grow as you do.

I hope you have a fabulous week!

Sincerely,
Lydia 

"Take Counsel From His Hand"

Dear Sisters,

Hope you are having a good week with all these “April Showers” and the beautiful green that follows.

I have been thinking about how sometimes the answers to our prayers may come through a different process than we expect.  My husband, Douglas and I were talking about this, and he shared a profound example of this found in the Book of Mormon when poor Nephi was bound with strong cords by his older brothers: (1 Ne 7:16-18)

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 16 And it came to pass that when I, Nephi, had spoken these words unto my brethren, they were angry with me. And it came to pass that they did lay their hands upon me, for behold, they were exceedingly wroth, and they did bind me with cords, for they sought to take away my life, that they might leave me in the wilderness to be devoured by wild beasts.

 17 But it came to pass that I prayed unto the Lord, saying: O Lord, according to my faith which is in thee, wilt thou deliver me from the hands of my brethren; yea, even give me strength that I may burst these bands with which I am bound.

 18 And it came to pass that when I had said these words, behold, the bands were loosed from off my hands and feet, and I stood before my brethren, and I spake unto them again.

Nephi’s righteous desire, expressed through faith-filled prayer was a plea that the Lord would deliver him from the hands of his brothers.  His idea was that the Lord would strengthen him, and he would be able to physically break the bands.  Honestly, I have always pictured that that is exactly what happened, but as you read closely in verse 18, as he turned to the Lord in faith, the bands were not broken, but “loosed”, not necessarily because Nephi broke them with his strength, but because the Lord loosened them as a result of Nephi’s faith.

Sometimes, we have a vision, and a plan that makes sense in our mind of how we will achieve it, and I really feel that the Lord blesses us with the righteous desires of our hearts; however, the time-table and the process of achieving our desires may be quite different than what we planned.  We are blessed as we listen to the promptings of the spirit, and allow the Lord to direct our lives.

 10 Wherefore, brethren, seek not to counsel the Lord, but to take counsel from his hand. For behold, ye yourselves know that he counseleth in wisdom, and in justice, and in great mercy, over all his works.

From time to time, I catch myself giving the Lord “my agenda” in my prayers, and I forget he is and should be at the helm, directing my life for good.  He’s the master creator and he knows what is best for me.  I’m going to work on taking counsel from Him, because He truly is wise, merciful, and just.

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Hope you have a lovely day!

Sincerely,

Lydia

Counsel With Your Councils

Dear Sisters,

I have been thinking a lot about the amazing 5^th Sunday lesson given by our good bishopric.  They taught us about ward and family councils. At first, that seemed like a bit of an odd topic.  When it was mentioned in ward council, I even asked if that was in the church handbook.  I have since been quite humbled as I have come across several talks on the subject.  One of my favorites was a conference talk given by Elder Ballard.  He urged leaders to “make wise used of committees and councils,” because when they do, “they move the work of the Lord forward much faster and farther.”  

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I am certain the same is true within our own homes.  When we gather, and prayerfully discuss challenges and solutions as a family, there is more unity and the Lord can inspire and direct us, touching the hearts of our family.

As I have read the Book of Mormon this past week, I have been fascinated how often Lehi gathered his family and counseled with them, prophesying, warning, and directing them as they faced challenges.

  

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Almost all of 2^nd Ne. Chapter 1 is filled with his teachings to his family council.  He taught and prophesied “according to the workings of the Spirit” which was in him, pleading with his children to “remember to observe the statutes and the judgments of the Lord; behold, this hath been the anxiety of my soul from the beginning."

Elder Ballard told us that:

“This is the miracle of Church councils: listening to each other and listening to the Spirit! When we support one another in Church councils, we begin to understand how God can take ordinary men and women and make of them extraordinary leaders. The best leaders are not those who work themselves to death trying to do everything single-handedly; the best leaders are those who follow God’s plan and counsel with their councils." 

This was a quote I needed to hear.  I am working on being a better leader and using my council more effectively… so as not to work myself to death. ;)  We are also trying to follow this direction in our own home.  I’m trying to listen more—I tend to like to do the talking. (Shocking, I know.) J  It’s a work in progress, but I can already feel blessings come into our home as we try to follow the prophet and the counsel of our bishopric.

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Hope you have a wonderful week and take a moment to prayerfully counsel with your families.

Sincerely,

Lydia