Orbits to Illuminate

Dear Sisters,

I hope you are all doing well!  I love and pray for each of you, and hope you are finding joy in your journey.  It was so neat to hear Sis. Sheri Dew speak last week at the tabernacle.

She quoted Elder Neil A. Maxwell, who said:

"Brothers and sisters, by divine appointment, “these are [our] days” (Hel. 7:9), since “all things must come to pass in their time” (D&C 64:32). Moreover, though we live in a failing world, we have not been sent here to fail.

Recall the new star that announced the birth at Bethlehem? It was in its precise orbit long before it so shone. 

​We are likewise placed in human orbits to illuminate. Divine correlation functions not only in the cosmos but on this planet, too."

Doesn't that just seem like such a perfect quote to ponder after that amazing eclipse?  

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Sheri Dew talked about "expanding our orbit of influence to illuminate."  I have been pondering on that thought this last week.  I think there are many of you sisters who underestimate your influence and the light that you share.  You are a powerful source for good on this earth.  You make a difference.  You are here for a reason.  Allow yourself to be an instrument in the Lord's hand.

You probably don't even realize how many people you are touching.  This last week, my husband and I were talking about Jr. Shupe, who passed away.  I mentioned him to my husband as "Bro. Shupe" and my daughter piped in and said, "Oh, you mean Jr.?"  I was surprised to find that even she knew him because he had come and helped with girls camp.  Our lives are such a ripple, effecting so many.  Make a positive impact on those around you.

Expand your obit of influence this week.

Sincerely, 

Lydia

Contemplate the Works of Nature

Dear Sisters,

Check out this view!  

I'm not trying to brag. :)  I just wanted to share the beauty!
As I have been hiking around in the mountains this week, I have been reminded of how much our Heavenly Father loves us.  He has blessed us to be surrounded by such beauty and variety.  Take a moment this week to enjoy His creations. Even the small ones.

This was a cool moth I ran into on my way to somewhere and I just couldn’t get over every little detail.

I think as we pause throughout our day to express gratitude to the Lord for this beautiful earth, it must make his happy knowing that we enjoy His creations.

"I wish to contemplate the works of nature, and to know something of nature's God, and my destiny. I love to view the things around me; to gaze upon the sun, moon, and stars; to study the planetary system, and the world we inhabit; to behold their beauty, order, harmony, and the operations of existence around me. ... everything is beautifully harmonious, and perfectly adapted to the position it occupies in the world. Whether you look at birds, beasts, or the human system, you see something exquisitely beautiful and harmonious, and worthy of the contemplation there was a God, [even] if there was no such thing as religion in the world." (President John Taylor)

“Stop to smell the flowers.”  Hope you have a lovely week and find something in nature to enjoy!

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

"Always Remember Him: Pray in Faith"

Dear Sisters!

Happy New Year!  I have a good feeling about 2017.  I think it's going to be a good one.  

As a Presidency, we have decided our Lorin Farr 4th Relief Society Theme for this year will be: "Always Remember Him: Pray in Faith"

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I hope in your goal setting this New Year, you consider putting Christ at the center. 

According to Elder Christofferson, we should begin by "...stripping everything out of our lives and then putting it back together in priority order with the Savior at the Center.  We should first put in place things that make it possible to always remember him. ... Once we make adequate time and means for these matters in centering our lives in Christ, we can begin to add other responsibility and things of value, such as education and family responsibilities.  In this way the essential will not be crowded out of our lives by the merely good, and things of lesser value will take a lower priory or fall away altogether."

This is my personal goal this year.  I think I have given far too much weight to "things of lesser value" on my priority list.  I'm looking forward to setting things straight and seeing the blessings that come into my life as I put Christ at the center.

"When we always remember the Savior, we can 'cheerfully do all things that lie in our power,' confident that His power and love for us will see us through."

I love that word "cheerfully" in there.  We need to be faithful and happy about doing the Lord's work.  The gospel really is the "good news."  It's something to celebrate!

 I'm so grateful for each of you beautiful sisters and the blessing you are in my life.  You are special and unique and I know that Lord loves you!  I hope you have a wonderful week!

Sincerely,

Lydia 

Prayer is Essential

Dear Sisters,

I just love you!  I enjoyed hearing many of your testimonies today, and feeling your faith.  You are a powerful influence for good in the world.

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Lately, I have struggling to find time to pray.  My life has felt chaotic and a bit overwhelming, but I am discovering that as I take little moments to slow down and talk to my Heavenly Father, I am able to receive the direction and focus I need to get through my day.  It helps me know the Lord knows me and understands what I'm going through.  

I testify that this is the case for each of you, as well.  The Lord knows you.  He understands how you feel and what you are dealing with, and he is anxious for your to turn to him, express your feelings of frustration, love, or gratitude, and he will give you comfort and direction.

"Prayer is essential to developing faith. When the Lord comes again, will He find a people who know how to pray in faith and who are prepared to receive salvation? “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” We are children of a loving Heavenly Father, and we may enjoy personal communion with Him when we pray “with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ” and then act in accordance with the answers we receive by the promptings of the Holy Ghost. In faith we pray, we listen, and we obey, that we might learn to become one with the Father and the Son. A prayer of faith opens the way to receive glorious heaven-sent blessings." 

-Carol F. McConkie

Make time in your day to pray and talk to the Lord so that you can receive those glorious blessings he has in store for you.  I hope you have a wonderful week.  I am praying for you!

Sincerely,

Lydia

The Lord Cares, Act Now

Dear Sisters,

I just wanted to testify of how mindful the Lord is of each of us and how important it is to listen to and act on spiritual promptings.

I wanted to share an experience I had this last week.  I shared it in my testimony yesterday, so I’m sorry if you are hearing it twice. :)

Last week, I planned a fun day trip with the kids.  We were all ready to go, but the entire time I prepared, I felt a nagging feeling that something was wrong and we shouldn’t go, but I wasn’t sure why.  I knew the importance of being sensitive to those feelings, so I decided not to go, much to the disappointment of my kiddos.  We ended up running some errands around town, and while I was out and about, I noticed that the front tire seemed rather low.  After taking it into the shop, I discovered that it did indeed have a nail in it.  I was able to fix the problem with very little trouble.

I don’t know what might have happened if we had taken our trip, but I DO know that my Heavenly Father cares very much about me and the details of my life.  I know we are richly blessed as we heed spiritual promptings, and our ability to hear them in the future is increased, as we act of them.  We are so fortunate to have a spiritual guide through life, and we need to take advantage of this great gift and blessing.

“The gift of the Holy Ghost, if you consent, will guide and protect you and even correct your actions. It is a spiritual voice that comes into the mind as a thought or a feeling put into your heart. … It is not expected that you go through life without making mistakes, but you will not make a major mistake without first being warned by the promptings of the Spirit. This promise applies to all members of the Church.”

President Boyd K. Packer, President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, “Counsel to Youth,” Ensign, Nov. 2011, 17–18.

This week, try to be sensitive to the promptings of the spirit.  Be sure to act of them, and I promise you will be blessed.

Sincerely,

Lydia

Patience is a Virtue

Dear Sisters,

HONK HONK!!! 

You’ve all witnessed an impatient driver.  I spend quite a bit of my day on Washington carting kids to and from school.  Just this last week, I pulled up next to a lady who laid on her horn the second the light turned green and the car ahead of her didn’t immediately move. 

Patience really is a virtue, and one that I want to be good at RIGHT NOW! J  It takes a lot of practice, and though I get lots of opportunities to exercise it, it is an area where I usually need quite a bit of work. 

This morning, I told my kids the story of Job, who was a model example of patience.  

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To recap, Job was a righteous man, blessed will posterity, property, riches, and success.  Satan told the Lord that he felt the only reason Job was obedient was because he had everything he could want.  The Lord knew Job would be faithful no matter what, and he allowed Satan to tempt Job.  As a result, poor Job quickly lost EVERYTHING.  His servants left, his animals died, his crops failed, his entire family either died or disowned him, but Job still expressed his faith in the Lord.  Then he even lost his health, as his skin became covered with painful sores.  His friends turned against him saying he must have done something wicked for God to curse him.  Here are the words of this humble, patient man…

 Job 16

 15 I have sewed sackcloth upon my skin, and defiled my horn in the dust.

 16 My face is foul with weeping, and on my eyelids is the shadow of death;

 17 Not for any injustice in mine hands: also my prayer is pure.

 18 O earth, cover not thou my blood, and let my cry have no place.

 19 Also now, behold, my witness is in heaven, and my record is on high.

 20 My friends scorn me: but mine eye poureth out tears unto God.

Job 19

 25 For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:

 26 And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God.

And thankfully, there is a happy ending...  Job does see God, and is taught and blessed, and becomes prosperous again.  I think the Lord quite loves patient people. J

Often times, the Lord has a plan for us that we may not be able to fully comprehend yet.  Or there may be reasons blessings are withheld that are not clear to us.  All we see is the “green light,” but we may have missed the old lady crossing the street, causing the car in front of us to pause.

The world would be a better place if we all developed more patience, and our lives would be much better if we took a moment to pause with patience, and trust in the Lord’s wisdom and plan for our lives.

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I hope you find great blessings and happiness this week, and I hope that you will be patient if the blessings come a little slower than you were hoping. ;) Trust that they WILL come!

Love you all!  Praying for you!

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

Jesus, the Very Thought of Thee

Dear Sisters,

I hope you are having a good week!  It’s so cold and a bit dreary, but have you noticed the spectacular sunrises and sunsets?!  Those mountains are so easy to fall in love with!

I have always loved the song, “Jesus the Very Thought of Thee.”  It’s one I memorized as a teenager, and have sung to my kids at bedtime, so I was excited to hear it mentioned in Melody's great Relief Society lesson.

Jesus, the very thought of thee

With sweetness fills my breast;

But sweeter far thy face to see

And in thy presence rest. …

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President Hunter asked, “How often do we think of the Savior? How deeply and how gratefully and how adoringly do we reflect on his life? How central to our lives do we know him to be?

For example, how much of a normal day, a working week, or a fleeting month is devoted to “Jesus, the very thought of thee”? Perhaps for some of us, not enough.

Surely life would be more peaceful, surely marriages and families would be stronger, certainly neighborhoods and nations would be safer and kinder and more constructive if more of the gospel of Jesus Christ “with sweetness” could fill our breasts.”

As I thought about the words to that hymn, I was reminded of the Brother of Jared, who actually did see Jesus’ face because “he knew, nothing doubting”.

Jesus told him,

“Because thought knowest these things, ye are redeemed from the fall; ye are brought back into my presence; therefore I show myself unto you.”

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Faith is so powerful!  The Brother of Jared was a great example of knowing how to use that faith to direct his life and bless his family.  Can you imagine how grateful they must have been for the bright stones that lit the barges, so that they wouldn’t have to cross the ocean in darkness?

“There is no end to His power to bless and direct the lives of those who seek truth and righteousness.”

 –Boyd K. Packer

I testify that your faith is a powerful tool, and I pray we can all find the courage to exercise it more often to bless our families.  May thoughts of the Savior fill your week, and may we have the courage to let our faith show!

Sincerely,

Lydia

"A Broken Heart and a Contrite Spirit"

Dear Sweet Sisters,

Is it just me, or does everything seem to speed up this time of year?  I would very much like to pause, and catch up with everything, but instead, I'll have to keep jogging along and try to take an occasional moment to be still and enjoy the journey. :)

It was so fun gathering with so many of you sisters in a circle for our lesson on Sunday.  It was especially neat to have the Primary and Young Women Leaders with us.  What a beautiful sight you all made!  It did my heart good to see each of you.  Thank you for your strength and support!

We talked about times we have felt the Lord's hand in our lives through service.  There where some very tender sweet experiences shared.  Thank you!  As I mentioned, there have been countless moments when you sisters have lifted and loved me through your thoughtful service.  I have certainly felt God's love through you.

I want to mention a little thought I came across in my scripture study this week.  I am almost finished with the Book of Mormon.  I recently read where there have been fires, floods, and earthquakes, and Christ is speaking to the people in the darkness just before he appears.  He tells them the sacrifices and burnt offerings should be done away because he has fulfilled the law, and he says, "And ye shall offer for a sacrifice unto me a broken heart and a contrite spirit. And whoso cometh unto me with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, him will I baptize with fire and with the Holy Ghost." (3 Ne. 9:20)

The word "contrite" stuck out to me, mostly because I didn't know exactly what it meant, so I looked it up. It means feeling or expressing remorse; basically to be sorry.  But what fascinated me more was the Latin root-word translation of "conterere" with means "grind down/wear away".  What an image that created in my mind of my heart and spirit starting out rough and imperfect, but over time, through trial and opposition, the roughness and the imperfections are worn off, creating a smooth, polished, humble and more perfect offering for the Lord.  In return, we are blessed with the companionship of the Holy Ghost, who helps us endure that opposition.

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"We must also have the bitter in order to know the sweet. Sometimes some of us think we have the bitter and not enough of the sweet. This is normal. We all have our trials of life to strengthen us. Each thinks he has the hardest or most severe trials. It may be that they are the most difficult only because they are the hardest or most difficult for you. The diamond is enhanced and made more valuable with polishing. Steel is made harder and more valuable through tempering. So also opposition builds the character of man." (Eldred G. Smith)

We would do well to remember that opposition is an "heritage of the saints of God."

President Wilford Woodruff said: 

"If we had no trials we should hardly feel at home in the other world in the company of the Prophets and Apostles who were sawn asunder, crucified, etc., for the word of God and testimony of Jesus Christ.

It is impossible … for the Saints of God to inherit a celestial kingdom without their being tried as to whether they will abide in the covenants of the Lord or not."

I'm going to try to remember that even the hard times are a blessing.  Hope you have a wonderful week and find some happy holiday joy!!!  See you at the Relief Society Breakfast this Saturday at 9am!!!

Sincerely,

Lydia

Making the Sabbath a Delight

Hello Sisters!

Happy Fall!  Isn’t it glorious?!  I love this season so much that I couldn’t help but name my daughter Autumn.  We took a family drive up the canyon today and the colors were breathtaking.  

It was the first time in a while that I felt like the Sabbath really was a delight for me.  Don’t get me wrong, I always enjoy Sundays.  I love mingling with good people like you, learning about the gospel, and especially being able to take the sacrament, but that Sunday drive felt good, and delighting in Heavenly Father’s glorious creations as a family felt like an extraordinary opportunity that broke from the routine.

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“The Sabbath is His gift to us, granting real respite from the rigors of daily life and an opportunity for spiritual and physical renewal. God gave us this special day, not for amusement or daily labor but for a rest from duty, with physical and spiritual relief.”

In recent ward council meetings, our General Authorities trained us on Sabbath Day observance at home and during our meetings.  Their hope is that we will share what we learned and try to set an example.  It is something I have been working on and thinking a lot about.  Elder Nelson’s talk "The Sabbath is a Delight" is a great reference.  He said:

“My conduct and my attitude on the Sabbath constituted a sign between me and my Heavenly Father. With that understanding, I no longer needed lists of dos and don’ts. When I had to make a decision whether or not an activity was appropriate for the Sabbath, I simply asked myself, “What sign do I want to give to God? That question made my choices about the Sabbath day crystal clear."

We often hear the phrase “Show me a sign?!” usually uttered to the skies, but have you ever thought God might like to see some action from us?  So much so that he offers us an entire day for to demonstrate our love?  Isn’t it neat to think that what we choose to do on Sunday can reveal to our Heavenly Father who we are or what is in our hearts?  It almost acts as a covenant or contract of our love and commitment.  I think looking at it that way might make it easier to keep the Sabbath Day holy, which IS a commandment, by the way. :)

“Faith in God engenders a love for the Sabbath; faith in the Sabbath engenders a love for God.”

Somehow, it always comes back to faith.  As I mentioned, delighting in the Sabbath Day is something I am working on.  I would like to challenge you to work on it with me.  Maybe together, we can think of new “signs” of our love and obedience that we can offer the Lord on His special day.

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I love you sisters and hope you find some time this week to "be still" and enjoy the beautiful world around you!

Sincerely,

Lydia

Faith is like a Little Seed. If Planted it Will Grow!

Dear Sisters-

What a spiritual feast!  Wasn’t General Conference wonderful?  I have a lot to study and “ponderize”.  We have such inspired leaders!  My son, Seth, was so excited when he saw those beautiful children singing in the Saturday Afternoon Session.  He said, “Finally!  A Child Conference that I have been waiting for all my life!!!” J

I literally planted bulbs and pansies all day yesterday.  I couldn’t sleep last night because my arms and back were so sore.  I am kind of the “pansy,” really. J  While I was whining to my husband about how hard it all was, he smiled at me and said, “Planting bulbs and pansies really is a faith based work, isn’t it?” I am really hoping it will be worth that effort in the Spring. J

My thought this week is simple and probably familiar, but fit in nicely with my planting adventures.  I was so happy this morning to see all the moisture we received, just after all my hard work yesterday.  It made me feel like the Lord was meeting me half way by opening the heavens.  Some of those pansies seemed so limp and dry, like they weren’t going to make it, but they have perked right up with the rain.

Do you recall what Alma taught us about faith and planting seeds? (Alma 32)

26 Now, as I said concerning faith—that it was not a perfect knowledge—even so it is with my words. Ye cannot know of their surety at first, unto perfection, any more than faith is a perfect knowledge.

 27 But behold, if ye will awake and arouse your faculties, even to an experiment upon my words, and exercise a particle of faith, yea, even if ye can no more than desire to believe, let this desire work in you, even until ye believe in a manner that ye can give place for a portion of my words.

 28 Now, we will compare the word unto a seed. Now, if ye give place, that a seed may be planted in your heart, behold, if it be a true seed, or a good seed, if ye do not cast it out by your unbelief, that ye will resist the Spirit of the Lord, behold, it will begin to swell within your breasts; and when you feel these swelling motions, ye will begin to say within yourselves—It must needs be that this is a good seed, or that the word is good, for it beginneth to enlarge my soul; yea, it beginneth to enlighten my understanding, yea, it beginneth to be delicious to me.

 29 Now behold, would not this increase your faith? I say unto you, Yea; nevertheless it hath not grown up to a perfect knowledge.

 30 But behold, as the seed swelleth, and sprouteth, and beginneth to grow, then you must needs say that the seed is good; for behold it swelleth, and sprouteth, and beginneth to grow. And now, behold, will not this strengthen your faith? Yea, it will strengthen your faith: for ye will say I know that this is a good seed; for behold it sprouteth and beginneth to grow.

 31 And now, behold, are ye sure that this is a good seed? I say unto you, Yea; for every seed bringeth forth unto its own likeness.

Now for the connection:  We have heard some powerful words from living witnesses of Christ this last weekend.  

I testify that as we act in faith, experimenting on their words, and plant those seeds deep in our hearts, the Lord will allow our testimonies to flourish and our faith to increase, until we can know that what they say is true, eventually with a perfect knowledge. (That will be the pretty flowers that come up in the springtime. J)

I urge each of us to give a place for those conference messages in our heart.

I love you sisters.  You fill my thoughts and prayers.  I desire happiness and strong faith for each of you!

Sincerely,

Lydia