"And He Has SENT Me Here"

Dear Sisters,

The primary songs have always been a favorite in our home.  I have often used them to help teach my children gospel principles.  Once, when my Autumn was a toddler, she was singing the familiar, “I am a child of God,” only I was surprised when I heard her continue with, 

“…and he has left me here.”  J 

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Sometimes it might feel a little bit like we’ve been abandoned and left to our own devices, but I testify that is not the case.  We have a loving Father that has blessed us with a road map (The Plan of Salvation), an instruction manual (The Scriptures/The Book of Mormon/Living Prophet and Apostles), and even a tour guide (The Spirit or Holy Ghost).  We are not alone on this journey through life, and we have been set up for success if we chose to use these tools.

I especially appreciated Sis. Pare’s lesson on Sunday about the Scriptures.  I have found so many answers to my prayers while studying my scriptures.  I have found that it is the Lord’s language—how he speaks to me.  Thoughts and impressions come when I am reading, or verses jump out to me that are just what I need to hear.  The Lord wants to communicate with his children, and I think you will find that as you open your scriptures, your relationship with your Father in Heaven will flourish.

Make time for the scriptures!  I say that to myself too, because I have struggled a little bit with this lately.  I couldn’t figure out why I was feeling a bit uninspired, and when I read this in the lesson, it hit me that my study has not been a very high priority lately.

“To understand the scriptures requires concentrated, consistent, prayerful study. We urge each of you to carefully consider how much time you are currently giving to prayerful pondering of the scriptures.”

Yep, I could improve.

I recently read a sign that said, “I’m so busy that I don’t know whether I’ve found a rope, or lost my horse.”  J  Made me smile, but I do hope we are not to that point.  Make sure you make studying and pondering the scriptures a priory.  I have been richly blessed already as I have tried to set my priorities straight.

“Time for scripture study requires a schedule that will be honored. Otherwise, blessings that matter most will be at the mercy of things that matter least.”

(Elder Russell M. Nelson)

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I testify that as you make time for scriptures study and use the tools that the Lord has blessed you with in this life, you will use your agency more wisely, and you will find answers and great guidance along your path.

I hope you find joy in your journey this week.  I am praying for you!

Sincerely,

Lydia

This Life is the Time...

Dear Sisters-

I had such a neat opportunity to attend a Leadership Training Meeting yesterday, where I was taught by Elder Nelson's wife, and some other amazing women.  I had each of you on my mind, as I pondered how I could better serve you.  I thought it was interesting that much of what was said revolved around the temple and that we are in the last days.

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Sis. Nelson encouraged us to think about what she referred to as our "pre-mortal commitments," and consider what we are busy doing.  She urged us to filter out the time-wasters.  We don't want to look back on this earth life thinking, "Oh, I was suppose to be doing that?"  If we are prayerful, I feel certain the Holy Ghost can direct us to the meaningful things we should be doing.

Alma 34 comes to mind:

 32 For behold, this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God; yea, behold the day of this life is the day for men to perform their labors.

 33 And now, as I said unto you before, as ye have had so many witnesses, therefore, I beseech of you that ye do not procrastinate the day of your repentance until the end; for after this day of life, which is given us to prepare for eternity, behold, if we do not improve our time while in this life, then cometh the night of darkness wherein there can be no labor performed.

 34 Ye cannot say, when ye are brought to that awful crisis, that I will repent, that I will return to my God. Nay, ye cannot say this; for that same spirit which doth possess your bodies at the time that ye go out of this life, that same spirit will have power to possess your body in that eternal world.

We talked a lot about missionary work in our meetings today, I feel sure that there truly is a "hastening of the work" taking place right now.

I hope that we can all do our part to assist the Lord in building His Kingdom and preparing for His second coming.

Wishing you a wonderful week!

Sincerely,

Lydia

In faith we'll rely on the arm of Jehovah

Dear Sisters-

I hope you had a wonderful Independence Day!  I had the privilege of standing next to a veteran soldier as the National Anthem was sung, and somehow it meant so much more, knowing him and that he was willing to leave his young family to defend what we stand for.  

Don’t you feel so grateful for our freedoms?  What a blessing it is that we live in this good land, and that we have brave men and women willing to form and defend it!  I missed you today, but I was able to attend a Sacrament Meeting in Mountain Home, and just felt so grateful for freedom to worship, and for a place to partake of the sacrament, even in our travels.

I missed Marilyn’s lesson in RS, but I read the article from the Ensign she was going to study in preparation, and I LOVED this thought about the Book of Mormon coming forth:

“This treasure would signal that after centuries of general spiritual darkness and confusion, the heavens were again open. This treasure would show that Jesus’s ministry was far more expansive in both doctrine and geography than the Christian churches of that day could possibly know. This treasure would affirm that, in miraculous fashion, God is sweepingly active in the affairs of men across time, languages, and continents. And this treasure would promise teachings so pure and powerful that if you planted them deep into your soul, you could personally be transformed, tasting of something so delicious as to make it the ultimate and unmatched feast of your desires.” (The Path to Palmyra)

I testify that God is active in the affairs of man.  I know he works through a living prophet to guide us.  I know that this gospel and the Book of Mormon really are treasures.  We need to treat them as such.  Be active!!!  Come to Relieve Society!  We need you there.  Be actively reading and studying the Book of Mormon.  I know we live in troubled times, but I was comforted today listening to the words of this hopeful hymn:  “In faith we'll rely on the arm of Jehovah to guide thru these last days of trouble and gloom.”

I feel confident that as we remain faithful and active in the gospel,

 “all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28

You have been called!  You committed at baptism to “bare one another’s burdens,” comfort, and stand as a witness of Christ, and the Lord will help you fulfill those promises.  Please fulfill your call as a visiting teacher.

Enjoy your week and I look forward to seeing you soon and love each of you!

Sincerely,

Lydia