Always Remember Him

Dear Sisters,

Today, the sacrament meant a lot to me.  

I was so grateful for the opportunity I had to partake of the bread and water and think about the words that were said.  There are some goals I have set for myself, and some natural man tendencies I am working to overcome, and so it was meaningful to be reminded that I am making a covenant to be more like the Savior. How wonderful if felt to be reminded that if I try to be like him, I'll "always have his spirit to be with me."  Those words are so comforting to me.  Ironically that companionship of the spirit is precisely what I need with me in order to make those changes.  I almost slipped again this last week, and then I was reminded to look at the situation through a spiritual lens.  It helped me take a step back and make course corrections before things escalated.  I am excited that I can change myself. These bad habits that have taken years to develop.  The atonement is powerful!

“The miracle of the Atonement is not just that we can go home but that—miraculously—we can feel at home there. If Christ did not require faith and repentance, then there would be no desire to change. Think of your friends and family members who have chosen to live without faith and without repentance. They don’t want to change. They are not trying to abandon sin and become comfortable with God. Rather, they are trying to abandon God and become comfortable with sin. If Jesus did not require covenants and bestow the gift of the Holy Ghost, then there would be no way to change. We would be left forever with only willpower, with no access to His power. If Jesus did not require endurance to the end, then there would be no internalization of those changes over time. They would forever be surface and cosmetic rather than sinking inside us and becoming part of us—part of who we are.” 
― Brad Wilcox

This week, I would encourage you to take a close look at yourself.  Find some small thing you can work on.  Pray for the companionship of the Holy Ghost to help you over come, and notice the meaning words of the sacrament prayer this coming week. ALWAYS REMEMBER HIM.

These are simple steps, but they will help you draw closer to a God who loves you very much.

I hope you have a wonderful week and know that I love and pray for you!

Sincerely,

Lydia 

PS. Happy Autumn Time!  Go find some leaves to jump in!

Joy in the Fruit of My Labors

Dear Sisters,

I hope you are having a lovely week and enjoying the last fruits of summer before school starts.

Speaking of fruits, we’ve been enjoying blackberries at our house.  My mom was recently in town and she picked with the kids.  When she came in, she showed me a picture of a beautiful bunch of berries and she said, “I’m calling this picture ‘Just out of reach’.” 

It made me laugh, but then I asked if she had used the ladder in the garage.  She hadn’t.  And then of course, a metaphor came to me. :) I think very often our growth in the gospel is like this.  Sometimes, the very best fruits take a bit more effort.  If we really need to grow our testimony, we might need “a ladder” or we might need to exercise faith and work.

I could even take this analogy a bit further, when I was picking with the ladder, and as I was reaching for a beautiful bunch, I came crashing down into the bushes. My girls snapped a picture while I was desperately hanging there.

Even still, it didn’t stop me.  Once I recovered myself, and my pride, I adjusted my ladder, and I was able to reach the best berries at the top.  My smashing of the bushes even made it easier for me to position that ladder.  So it is with our struggles as we work to grow our testimony.  Sometimes we go through rough patches or have questions, but with faith, eventually they can help lead us to more light and knowledge.

Alma 36:24-25

“I have labored without ceasing … that I might bring them to taste of the exceeding joy of which I did taste. …Yea … the Lord doth give me exceedingly great joy in the fruit of my labors.” 

I just testify that if we really want to understand a principle of the gospel, we will receive the “fruit” when we put in the labor.

Hope you have a great day!

Sincerely,

Lydia

Be Not Entangled

Hello Sisters!

This last week, I took my kids to the river to play.  I joined them for a little bit, and then watched them along the river bank.  While I sat there, I noticed some huge spider webs spun between the tree trunks next to me.  

I must confess, I'm not very keen on spiders, but I was mesmerized as I watched a small ant that had fallen into the web.  He dangled from a strand for about one second.  The huge spider sat watching a waiting in it's lair, but he immediately rushed to it, snatched it, and took it right back into it's lair.

I'm not sure what the little ant was doing up in the tree near the web in the first place, but I was reminded of this experience as Sis. Herbert read Galatians 5:1 during the lesson on Obedience on Sunday.

"Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

"True freedom lies in obedience to the councils of God." (Proverbs 6:23)

I really believe that.  I think that Satan truly wants to drag us down.  We have to keep the commandments and watch ourselves.

3 Nehpi 18:18-20

Behold, verily, verily, I say unto you, ye must watch and pray always lest ye enter into temptation; for Satan desireth to have you, that he may sift you as wheat. Therefore ye must always pray unto the Father in my name; And whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, which is right, believing that ye shall receive, behold it shall be given unto you.

Don't forget that nasty spider waiting in the wings.  Find freedom in obedience. Smile, and keep the Holy Ghost near you!

"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."

Hope you have a wonderful week!

Sincerely,

Lydia

He Hears Your Prayers

Dear Sisters,

I hope you had a wonderful time of Thanksgiving!  I hope you ate well and enjoyed good company, and I especially hope you will take a moment to count your blessings.  The Lord loves you and if you will take the time to notice, you will recognize his hand in your life.

I have felt the Lords hand in my life this last week.   We have had such a busy few months that have been pretty hard for me adjusting to work and such a full schedule.  Doug and I felt a little down this last week as we noticed some habits and behaviors slipping in our home and causing contention.  Finally, we got smart, and we knelt as a couple and poured our hearts out to the Lord.  We told him what our desires were for our family and humbly asked for his help to find our way through.  Gradually, my husband and I have felt more hopeful.  It is comforting to know that the Lord is part of our union.  We have had parenting ideas pop into our head, and we have felt gentle assurances that things will work out.

I share this personal experience to add to my testimony that the Lord loves and knows each of us.  I testify that he is mindful of our struggles and celebrating our successes.  He does not leave us comfortless.  I encourage each of you to seek the Lord.  Get on your knees and talk to Him.  I loved what Erin Hanamaikai said in her talk today.  She mentioned that the Bible Dictionary stated  that prayer to our Father in Heaven should be natural and innate.  Our spirits long to commune with our Father in Heaven.  If you are out of practice, remember that your heart know what you need to say.

Sisters, I feel a small portion of the love he has for each of you, and it is overpowering for me.  I wish I had a way to convey it, but I know as you turn to Him in prayer, the Holy Ghost can bless you to feel that love.  Please find some time this week, each day to ask Heavenly Father to show you that love.

I hope your week is wonderful.  Enjoy the beautiful snow and the shifting seasons.  I hope the pure white blanket reminds you of the purity and virtue of our Savior.

Be safe and warm,

Lydia 

"We Need Never Feel Lost or Alone"

Dear Sisters,

Wasn't General Conference beautiful?!  I always feel like maybe they had a special meeting before, and said something like, "There is this Lydia Stewart lady who lives in Ogden and could use some help on these topics.  Lets each address her needs.  Ok, ready, break..." :)  I needed all the great talks and there were several that I felt were specifically for me, so thanks for patiently sitting through them. ;)  If you missed Conference, you can still tune in on lds.org and rewatch or listen, and we will look forward to getting the next Ensign!

I noticed several of the talks mention prayer.  This is something I am personally going to focus on improving.  My Heavenly Father has been so patient with me and my half-hearted efforts lately, with a busy schedule.  He still does his best to inspire and direct me, but I know I have potential to be so much more in-tune if I would put more time and effort into speaking with my Father in Heaven.

"Prayer is a gift from God.  We need never feel lost or alone.  I testify that every moment of prayer can be holy time spent with the Father, in the name of the Son, by the Holy Ghost."

-Carol McConkie

I would encourage each of you to select a talk that resonated with you, and set a simple goal to improve on that principle.  We are so fortunate to be able to hear inspired leaders.  I think our Father in Heaven loves us very much.  I certainly sense His love for each of you!  I hope you feel it throughout this coming week!

Sincerely,

Lydia

With the Help of the Lord

Dear Sisters,

I want to share a precious letter written by my Great-Great Grandpa, Edward Hunter Snow, that I found in the LDS Family Search records. (Which is such an incredible resource by the way!)  The document is a handwritten letter accepting his mission call in 1886.  

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In case you can’t read his lovely penmanship, I’ll quote the part that really touched me,

“…though my health is poor, and my finances low, I will to the best of my ability, with the help of the Lord, fill the mission allotted to me honorably.”

I am strengthened by the powerful example of faith my ancestors possessed.  I love this humble response, and have read it over several times in the last week as I have approached new challenges and opportunities in my life.  I hope someday my children and grand-children will be inspired by my example of faith and willingness to serve.  I’m not there yet, but I’m grateful I can lean on the faith of my fathers while I strengthen my own.

As we approach challenges, change, or new opportunities to serve, I hope we can ponder Edward’s humble response, even admitting to our weaknesses, but trusting that “with the help of the Lord” we will be able to do all that is required.

Sincerely,

Lydia

Conversations that Strengthen

Dear Sisters,

Who is ready to start another school year?!  I’m feeling pretty excited myself, but you would never guess that by how it has been affecting me physically.  I have been dealing with some painful cold sores and cankers all over the roof of my mouth, and even on my tongue.  Clearly I need to de-stress. ;)  They have made eating and even talking very painful.  I mention this, because these sores caused me to ponder a thought that I wanted to share with you this week.

As I have sought relief from these painful sores, I was able to attend the temple this week to do initiatory.  I won’t go into detail about my experience, because of its sacred nature, but afterwards, I was inspired to look up these scriptures:

Peter 3:10-11

 10 For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:

 11 Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.

Psalms 34:13-15

 13 Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.

 14 Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.

 15 The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.

As I read these words, so conscious of the pain in my mouth, I imagined the occasional unkind words that sometimes come out of my mouth without thought.  What if those words hurt us as much as they hurt those who they are directed at?

“When it comes to hating, gossiping, ignoring, ridiculing, holding grudges, or wanting to cause harm, please apply the following:

Stop it!

It’s that simple. We simply have to stop judging others and replace judgmental thoughts and feelings with a heart full of love for God and His children. God is our Father. We are His children. We are all brothers and sisters.”

-Elder Uchtdorf

I’m happy to say that the sores in my mouth have now healed, and I am recommitted to speaking kind words that will strengthen the people around me.

D&C 108:7

 7 Therefore, strengthen your brethren in all your conversation, in all your prayers, in all your exhortations, and in all your doings.

 8 And behold, and lo, I am with you to bless you and deliver you forever. Amen.

I testify that as we speak positively with love and kindness to the people around us, the Lord will bless us with understanding and love for them, and we will feel happier.  Try to use kind words that “strengthen” the people around you this week.

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You are loved!

Sincerely,

Lydia

In this there is Safety and Peace

Dear Sisters,

I meant to get an email out all last week, and the time just got away from me, but you have been in my thoughts and prayers.

I thought I would just share a few thoughts from my lesson last Sunday.  I apologize if you are hearing it for the second time, but I miss you primary and young women sisters, too. J

With our ward Relief Society theme of “Faith to Follow the Prophet”, I have felt impressed for some time that I needed to emphasize the importance of keeping the commandments, especially since that was the title of one of our prophets most recent talks.  He reminded us that the commandments are not restrictions that keep us from being happy, but are in fact they way to happiness.

This spring, we were able to enjoy the fruit of our fall planting labor, as we watched the beautiful bulbs pop up. 

At one point, I noticed a plant growing around the tulips.  I didn’t recognize it, so I decided to leave it and see what it might turn out to be.  I described it to my husband and asked what it was, and he warned me not to pull it out, but let him spray it or it would come back more aggressively.

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I soon found out he was right.

This weed craftily bound itself around the nearby tulips and choked them out.  It curled itself around the stems to climb high, but in the end, they all fell.

This experience caused me to ponder how, like the weed, Satan tried to bind us and take away our precious gift of agency.  And also, how sometimes, when the weeds are really bad, we might need "an expert" or “the Savior” to help us remove them.

·         2 Ne 2:27: (Note the way Satan is described in this verse.)

o    27 Wherefore, men are free according to the flesh; and all things are given them which are expedient unto man. And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself.

Sisters, just as the song says, I testify that there is great “safety and peace” in keeping the commandments.

“When we keep the commandments, our lives will be happier, more fulfilling, and less complicated. Our challenges and problems will be easier to bear, and we will receive His promised blessings.” 

(Pres. Monson)

I hope each of us will "choose liberty and eternal life" by clinging to the Savior.  Please take a moment this week to reflect on how keeping the commandment has made your life happier, more fulfilling, and less complicated, and express gratitude to the Lord for giving you commandments to live by.

I love you and hope you have a wonderful sunshiny week!

Sincerely,

Lydia

Keep the Commandments

Dear Sisters,

I think I might be more ready than my kids are to begin Summer Vacation.  Aren’t we all ready for a break and some sunshine?!  Hope you had a good Memorial Day weekend.  It is nice to have a day that reminds us to take a moment to think of those loved ones who have passed, and those good men and women who have fought bravely to defend our freedoms.

I am looking forward to teaching the Relief Society lesson this coming Sunday.  I would be grateful if you would take a moment to ponder what blessings have come into your life from keeping the commandments and following the Prophet.

Yesterday, for Memorial Day, as a family, we read some passages from my Grandpa Juan’s Navy Journal.  He was a pilot during World War 2 for the Navy Air Corp.  

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​Wasn't he handsome! :)
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He wrote of an experience he had during his pilot training, while he was at a base in California.  He and a friend were practicing what they called “hedge hopping” or low flying. His friend was in the plane above him and flew over a canyon.  In a moment of foolishness, my Grandpa thought, “I can do that, too.”  So, flying low to the ground, he headed into the canyon as well, but quickly panicked as he discovered how narrow the canyon was becoming, which meant he would not be able to gain enough altitude to get out.  In his moment of desperation, he offered a humble prayer for help because he knew he would not be able to fly out of that canyon without the Lord’s help.  He said it was as if his life flashed before his eyes and in his words,

“The thoughts of my striving to live His commandments flashed quickly before me.  I had always paid tithing, obeyed the word of wisdom, and honored the Priesthood, and I knew that he knew I loved Him and I had faith that He would help me.”

As he climbed a little higher, he noticed that the canyon widen a little.  He thought maybe he would be able to fly close enough to one side of the canyon to make a sharp turn and head right back down the canyon.  As he attempted, his wing nearly clipped the edge of the cliff and he knew it wouldn’t be possible, but he did discover that as he continued to make that “S” motion leaning from one side, then to the other, he was able to gain just enough altitude to clear the canyon, which he miraculously he did, and just in time.  A few minutes later, he was joined by his friend, who had circled back to see where his buddy’s plane had crashed in the canyon because he was certain he wouldn’t make it.

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My Grandpa said, “Surely the Lord did answer my prayers that day. … I have thanked my Heavenly Father countless times for his saving influence that afternoon long ago in the hills of California. The miracle was real. The Lord helped me with an idea which didn’t turn out as I planned, but which made possible His saving me from destruction.”

 He then shared the scripture found in D&C 82:10

“I the Lord am bound when ye do what I say, when ye do not what I say, ye have not promise.”

This beautiful scripture applies to each of us.  If we keep the commandments, we will be able to call on the Lord in our hour of need, and feel confident in that promise.  Keep the commandments—in this there is safety and peace!

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

Cleave Unto God

Hello Sisters!

Hooray for Spring!  Doesn’t that sunshine feel wonderful!  I love watching new flowers open every day.  It reminds me of the Savior’s resurrection and rebirth.

I am trying to read my scriptures earlier in the morning.  It is a real sacrifice for me, (especially since day-light savings time change) but I have sure felt like the Lord is rewarding my efforts as I gain understanding.  I have never loved or understood Jacob 5 and the “Allegory of the Olive Tree” like I did this last time through.  

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One thing that really struck me was the follow chapter, where Jacob explains why he included that parable. He wanted his people to know that the Lord will come again, and that if they didn’t bring forth good fruit/works, they would be cut off and cast into the fire.

Jacob 6:5-8

  5 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, I beseech of you in words of soberness that ye would repent, and come with full purpose of heart, and cleave unto God as he cleaveth unto you. And while his arm of mercy is extended towards you in the light of the day, harden not your hearts.

 6 Yea, today, if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts; for why will ye die?

 7 For behold, after ye have been nourished by the good word of God all the day long, will ye bring forth evil fruit, that ye must be hewn down and cast into the fire?

 8 Behold, will ye reject these words? Will ye reject the words of the prophets; and will ye reject all the words which have been spoken concerning Christ, after so many have spoken concerning him; and deny the good word of Christ, and the power of God, and the gift of the Holy Ghost, and quench the Holy Spirit, and make a mock of the great plan of redemption, which hath been laid for you?

The word cleave jumped out to me.  I was fascinated as I looked up the word, that it’s two definitions have such opposite meanings.  One means “to split or sever” and the other (which is definitely the applicable one in this case) is “to stick fast to or adhere strongly to.”

How strongly do you adhere to the Lord?

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This made me think about how the He is so merciful, understanding, and forgiving to us.  He gives us every opportunity to succeed and doesn’t give up on us.  I think it is sad that sometimes, as soon as we hit a trial, a doctrinal question, or a controversial issue, we distance ourselves from Him and the gospel, when we should be “cleaving unto God as He cleaves unto us.” 

I like how verse 6 says, “today”—choose to cleave today!  We’ve been nourished by his good word, and surely we don’t want to reject it and be “cast into the fire.”

I’m going to work on “coming with full purpose of heart” and “cleaving” to the Lord like he cleaves to me.  He’s pretty good to us, isn’t he?  He deserves our loyalty, and I believe we are always blessed for giving it.

Sincerely,

Lydia