Establishing a Christ-Centered Home

Dear Sisters,

Happy July!  Hope you had a wonderful 4^th of July!  We are so lucky to live in this good land!

This last week, I came across a little sketch that Seth drew, and it is really made me smile.  I feel like he truly captured what motherhood occasionally feels like in this picture:

I love the symbolism here, like that this sweet mother, with her arms full to overflowing, is still trying to smile, and maybe just hoping that her husband might lend a hand.  His large, firm hand may be just what is needed. 

Mostly, it just seemed timely, because this last week, I have talked to a couple different mothers who have expressed that they feel tired, overwhelmed, and frustrated as a mother.  Those feelings are normal some of the time.  Motherhood can feel exhausting and lonely at times, but I think Satan would like us to feel that way much of the time.  Already, I can see it passes so quickly.  Hang in there!  Do your best to enjoy the little moments.  Relax a little—let that schedule slide a little and don’t forget to be your amazing self.  Both you and your kids need that.  As you find joy, you allow the companionship of the Holy Ghost to help you in your role.

Also, work with your good husband as much as you can.  Remember the basics.  We are promised great blessings as we do.  Elder Maynes, of the Seventy, talked about how he and his wife really tried to established habits of family home evening, scripture study, and family prayer when they were counselled to do so by the prophet.  Here is what he said.

“We learned that our children might not remember everything about the family home evening lesson later in the week, but they would remember that we held it. We learned that later in the day at school they would probably not remember the exact words of the scriptures or the prayer, but they would remember that we did read scriptures and we did have prayer. Brothers and sisters, there is great power and protection for us and our youth in establishing celestial traditions in the home.

Learning, teaching, and practicing the principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ in our homes helps create a culture where the Spirit can dwell. Through establishing these celestial traditions in our homes, we will be able to overcome the false traditions of the world and learn to put the needs and concerns of others first.

The responsibility for establishing a Christ-centered home lies with both parents and children. Parents are responsible to teach their children in love and righteousness. Parents will be held accountable before the Lord in how they perform their sacred responsibilities. Parents teach their children with words and through example.”

​I think it is great council to work in a loving way with our spouse to create a Christ-centered home.  Don’t forget to reach out to friends and families, too, when you need help.  This last week, I helped tend a friend’s kids while she rested with her new baby.  She was so grateful, and it wasn’t hard for me. You are not alone!  Also, try to remember what a blessing your precious children are.  There are several sisters in our ward who are unable to have children.  I think they would urge you to enjoy them and see them for the blessing that they are.

I just felt inspired to encourage your young mothers this week.  You are doing a great work.  Enjoy it!  Life is to be enjoyed, not just endured.

Sincerely,

Lydia

A Sweet and Hallowed Memory

Dear Sisters,

Happy Memorial Day!  I hope you find a moment to reflect of your blessings and the good people in our life who have come and gone, especially those who have fought to preserve our freedoms.

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I'm reminded of this beautiful hymn that seems appropriate today.

1. 1. Each life that touches ours for good
   Reflects thine own great mercy, Lord;
   Thou sendest blessings from above
   Thru words and deeds of those who love.
2. 2. What greater gift dost thou bestow,
   What greater goodness can we know
   Than Christlike friends, whose gentle ways
   Strengthen our faith, enrich our days.
3. 3. When such a friend from us departs,
   We hold forever in our hearts
   A sweet and hallowed memory,
   Bringing us nearer, Lord, to thee.
4. 4. For worthy friends whose lives proclaim
   Devotion to the Savior's name,
   Who bless our days with peace and love,
   We praise thy goodness, Lord, above.

Often the Lord shows me how much he cares about me through sweet friends like you sisters.  

I'm so grateful for how aware the Lord is of me and how much he does to show he cares.  I was feeling frustrated about my scripture study recently.  I read most mornings with my girls, but I haven't been doing much personal study, and I have honestly felt a little intimidated about where to begin and how to study.  I finally took my concerns to the Lord the other morning, and immediately, in my mind was a clear idea of where to begin.  I acted on it and have been so spiritually fed.  It seemed like such a small thing, but clearly it was important to the Lord.

This process is one I have experienced many times, so I'm not sure why it surprises me so much every time, but I always feel so grateful that the Lord takes time for me and cares about my struggles and concerns.  I know he hears me and cares about the details of my life.  That is why it is so important to pray.

I worry that sometimes we sisters forget how much we matter to him.  I hope that this week, you take a moment to ponder your worth and who you are as his daughter.  

6 Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God?

7 But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.

Consider this scripture in Luke 12, which suggests that if a sparrow wouldn't fall without him knowing, certainly you matter to him.  

​Please remember that!

I hope you have a wonderful week.

Sincerely,

Lydia

Draw All Men Unto Him

Dear Sisters,

Hope you are doing well!

In an effort to “Always Remember Christ” this year, I started reading the Book of Mormon with my daughters every morning before school.  Honestly, I’ve surprised myself with being able to get up consistently—mornings can sometimes be a struggle, and that extra half-hour of sleep seemed so tempting at first. :)  For me, starting a new routine or habit can seems a little daunting.  Although it’s still challenging sometimes, it’s made me realize how quickly we can make a positive change in our lives when we put our mind to it.  I tend to make a lot of excuses, but it really just takes a little extra will power. 

Yesterday, we read these beautiful verses that I would really like to memorize:

2 Nephi 26:23-24

For behold, my beloved brethren, I say unto you that the Lord God worketh not in darkness.

He doeth not anything save it be for the benefit of the world; for he loveth the world, even that he layeth down his own life that he may draw all men unto him.  Wherefore, he commanded none that they shall not partake of his salvation.

Isn’t that great?!  My girls and I talked about the visual image of a campfire or a bright light, and how you are drawn to it when you are walking in darkness.  

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The Savior’s light is tremendous because of his infinite sacrifice, and our spirits are drawn to the light of Christ.  I also love the emphasis that the Lord doesn’t work in darkness—he wants things to be plain and clear to us.  Everything he does is FOR us.  That scripture can help make it easier to know whether or not something is good or bad.

So… this week’s challenges: Always Remember Him!  Pick a small positive goal and make it a habit.  Read your scriptures.  And of course, remember that “the Lord works in the light.”  May you seek and find some of that light this week.

Sincerely,

Lydia

"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

"Christ will tell you all things"

Dear Sisters,

I really appreciate today's Sunday School lesson, where Bro. Nelson encouraged us to “feast on the words of Christ” as we seek for answers to our questions.  He reminded us that “the Holy Ghost will tell us the truth of all things” if we “follow Christ with FULL PURPOSE of heart.”

These are some scriptures I am going to “ponderize” this week as I try to feast on the words of Christ and receive answers to my questions and concerns.

2 Ne 31:13 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, I know that if ye shall follow the Son, with full purpose of heart, acting no hypocrisy and no deception before God, but with real intent, repenting of your sins, witnessing unto the Father that ye are willing to take upon you the name of Christ, by baptism—yea, by following your Lord and your Savior down into the water, according to his word, behold, then shall ye receive the Holy Ghost; yea, then cometh the baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost; and then can ye speak with the tongue of angels, and shout praises unto the Holy One of Israel.

2 Ne 32:3 Angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore, they speak the words of Christ. Wherefore, I said unto you, feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do.

I know we will be blessed to know “all things that we should do” as we study and apply what we learn from the scriptures.

Sincerely,

Lydia

The Still, Small Voice

Dear Sisters,

Just a simple thought this week.  I had the opportunity to join my son for a school field trip to a museum last week.  During their free-time, I was sitting on a bench, reading, when a grandmother sat next to me.  After a while, her grandchildren came to her very upset, saying that they had spent all their playtime looking for their cousin, even enlisting the help of the workers to find her, only to discover that she had purposely been hiding from them.  The accused girl sat next to the grandma pretending to cry and claiming that the other kids wouldn’t play what she wanted to play.  The grandma didn’t seem to know how to handle the situation, and eventually ended up taking the little girl’s side and said the other kids were being mean.  When they tried to apologize, she proceeded to lecture and shout at them.  There was no validation, and everyone went away crying and upset. 

Really, I had no business eavesdropping, (how embarrassing!) but I felt like I was right in the middle of the drama, due to my seating position, so of course I sat pondering over what happened, after they had gone.  Certainly, I’m no parenting expert, but several times I wanted to lean over and whisper to the grandma, “ask clarifying questing,” “just listen,” “validate,” and “forgive.”  I just kept thinking of little things I wish I could have said, and suddenly it occurred to me that that is probably how the Holy Ghost feels working with me sometimes.  There are probably several times that I could easily find solutions to problems or challenges in my life if I would just tune into that still small voice that could give me little pearls of wisdom, especially in my family relationships.

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“Carefully listen to learn from the Lord through the still small voice—the Holy Spirit—which leads to truth. Listen to learn by studying scriptures that record His holy mind and will. Listen to learn in prayer, for He will answer the humble who truly seek Him.

The wise listen to learn from the Lord. I testify of Him and certify that as we “hearken and … hear the voice of the Lord,” we will be blessed.”

-Elder Russell Nelson

As we take time to listen and act on promptings from the Holy Ghost, we are richly blessed.  The Lord hasn’t abandoned us.  He has blessed us with a guide, comforter, and constant companion, if we will “receive” his gift.

I’m grateful we have the guidance of the Holy Ghost, and hope we can listen to those “still small whisperings” this week.

Sincerely,

Lydia

A Change of Heart

Dear Sisters-

On to "Matters of the Heart". 

 

No, really.  I came across an interesting scripture chain that I wanted to share, so watch for what it says about the heart.

To set the stage, Abinadi is attempting to convince the people to repent of their sins and change their ways:

(Mosiah 11)

 23 And it shall come to pass that except this people repent and turn unto the Lord their God, they shall be brought into bondage; and none shall deliver them, except it be the Lord the Almighty God.

 24 Yea, and it shall come to pass that when they shall cry unto me I will be slow to hear their cries; yea, and I will suffer them that they be smitten by their enemies.

 25 And except they repent in sackcloth and ashes, and cry mightily to the Lord their God, I will not hear their prayers, neither will I deliver them out of their afflictions; and thus saith the Lord, and thus hath he commanded me.

The “sackcloth and ashes” were used in ancient times as an outward sign of one’s inward condition.  It acted as a symbol that visibly demonstrated grief, repentance, and a change of heart.  Now skip ahead a couple chapters to see how they responded to Abinidi’s teachings.

(Mosiah 13)

 32 And now, did they understand the law? I say unto you, Nay, they did not all understand the law; and this because of the hardness of their hearts; for they understood not that there could not any man be saved except it were through the redemption of God.

So rather than changing their hearts as Abinidi had previously urged, they “hardened their hearts” and as a result, they “did not understand.”  I believe that when our hearts become hard, we doubt the truth and the gospel becomes difficult for us to understand.  The opposite is also true: as our hearts are softened, the truths of the gospel become easier to understand and the Holy Ghost can testify and teach us.

Now jump forward even further to see what happen to these “hard hearted people.”  If you recall, they were attacked and captured by the Lamanites.  They basically became their slaves, giving them half of everything.  This became so difficult that they decided to fight for their freedoms; however, they lost…. FOUR TIMES!  And they lost big—they buried thousands and suffered greatly.  They were forced to humble themselves and admit defeat:

(Mosiah 21)

 13 And they did humble themselves even to the dust, subjecting themselves to the yoke of bondage, submitting themselves to be smitten, and to be driven to and fro, and burdened, according to the desires of their enemies.

 14 And they did humble themselves even in the depths of humility; and they did cry mightily to God; yea, even all the day long did they cry unto their God that he would deliver them out of their afflictions.

 15 And now the Lord was slow to hear their cry because of their iniquities; nevertheless the Lord did hear their cries, and began to soften the hearts of the Lamanites that they began to ease their burdens; yet the Lord did not see fit to deliver them out of bondage.

These words should be familiar.  Do you remember what Abinadi had warned against in the beginning?  It all happened just as he prophesied.  The point I wanted to make was that once they finally “changed their hearts” the Lord actually softened the hearts of their enemies.  He didn’t take their problems away, but he lightened their load. 

 

Sisters, soften your hearts so that you can understand, and so that the Lord can ease your burdens.  I testify that He will do this.  God does not lie.  He has given us a modern day “Abinadi” through Thomas S. Monson, and we need to heed his words to avoid the terrible heartache that results from hard hearts.  I am looking forward to General Conference.  Let’s all try to prepare our hearts for the messages so that we can understand.  I know this is true, and I hope you will ponder these scriptures and make discoveries of your own.  I look forward to hearing about them.

I love you and hope you have an excellent week!

Sincerely,

Lydia

Keep Practicing

Hello Sisters!

I love the scriptures!  One of my favorite stories is about Enos.  

Perhaps it's because it give me hope as a parent, that maybe some of the things that I try to teach my children are sticking with them. :) For example:

"...the words which I had often heard my father speak concerning eternal life, and the joy of the saints, sunk deep into my heart."

But I think the main reason is because Enos was such a great example of faith.  After "crying mightily" in prayer, he was told that his sins were forgiven.  When he asked how it was done, the Lord made it clear that it was, "...Because of thy faith in Christ, whom thou hast never before heard nor seen. And many years pass away before he shall manifest himself in the flesh; wherefore, go to, thy faith hath made thee whole."

The scriptures are filled from cover to cover with examples of great faith.  Reading about them is strengthening my faith in Christ.  I hope you are doing the same.  I loved the discussion today from Charlene's lesson about filling our homes with the "Music of the Gospel."  It is a beautiful analogy that we can each apply to our lives.

"With God’s help, the day will come when the music of the gospel will fill your home with unspeakable joy."

Maybe you aren't enjoying all the blessings available through the gospel, and if that is the case, I would urge you to "keep practicing".  Surround yourselves with good people and things that will build your faith.  Kneel down as Enos did, and talk to the Lord.  "God cannot lie" and he will provide opportunities for your faith to be strengthened.  Put your faith in Christ.

Thank you for your faithful examples!  Enjoy your week, and please visit your sisters-- see how their summer was and be a friend to them.  They might just be praying for a friend like you.

Sincerely,

Lydia

Turn to the Savior

Hello Ladies!

Happy {late} Mother's Day!  I was really taking the day off forgetting to send this. :)

In Relief Society yesterday, we shared this little clip that I thought you might enjoy:

https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2014-00-1440-it-was-mom-a-mothers-day-tribute-to-moms?lang=eng

Just hope you know how wonderful you are, and how much we appreciate all you do.  You are a powerful influence for good in a troubled world.

I believe Satan works very hard to discourage mothers-- women in general, really.  I think he know our potential.  I was feeling a little down this last week, and as I knelt and poured out my heart, I felt impressed to listen to one of my favorite "pick-me-up" conference talks from Elder Holland:

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1997/04/because-she-is-a-mother?lang=eng

I would encourage you to read it, no matter what your family circumstance, and remember what a difference you are making.

This was a quote I loved:

"We thank all of you ... and tell you there is nothing more important in this world than participating so directly in the work and glory of God, in bringing to pass the mortality and earthly life of His daughters and sons, so that immortality and eternal life can come in those celestial realms on high.

When you have come to the Lord in meekness and lowliness of heart and, as one mother said, “pounded on the doors of heaven to ask for, to plead for, to demand guidance and wisdom and help for this wondrous task,” that door is thrown open to provide you the influence and the help of all eternity. Claim the promises of the Savior of the world. Ask for the healing balm of the Atonement for whatever may be troubling you or your children. Know that in faith things will be made right in spite of you, or more correctly, because of you."

Remember who to turn to.  Our Savior is the source of truth and light, and I testify that the he loves you, and that he really does stand at the door waiting for us to knock.  If you need help or inspiration, just ask and he will bless you!  Turn to the scriptures.  We have had some wonderful lessons on the power of the Book of Mormon.  Read and study, and cash in on the promised blessings!  I love you sisters and hope that you know it!  Thank you for all you do!  Have a wonderful week filled with things that will bring you closer to the Savior.

Love,

Lydia