Sent Forth Among ALL the People

Dear Sisters,

I just love each of you.  I hope you know it.  I wish I had more time and ways to show you and to visit with each one of you individually. 

I was reading in Helaman 10 about how Nephi “declared the word” to ALL the people.  It says in verse 17, “And it came to pass that he did go forth in the Spirit, from multitude to multitude, declaring the word of God, even until he had declared it unto all.”  I felt a little overwhelmed and discouraged thinking, ‘How in the world did he do that?!  How did he teach every single one of them?!’  And then I was comforted when I continued reading, “…or sent it forth among all the people.”  He had church leaders and members help him spread his message of repentance.

Sisters, this reminded me of Visiting Teaching.  I couldn't reach "all" the sisters without your help.  It is an inspired tool that can be used to “send forth” the Lord’s message.  I testify that those monthly messages found in the Ensign are prayed about and messages that our church leaders want us to share with all the sisters of the church.  I hope I can count on you to “send forth” my love and concern for each individual sister, as well.  

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We are doing some Visiting Teaching up-dates, so be patient, but for now, please pass that along to the sisters on your list.  What a comfort and blessing Visiting Teaching is to me!  I’m so grateful for your efforts here!  They don’t go unnoticed!

“By becoming the answer to someone’s prayer, we often find the answer our own.”

-Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Again, I hope you know and feel the love I have for you and that Heaven Father has for you.  I am praying for you.  I 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 

"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

"Preserving Testimonies and Storing Faith"

Dear Sisters,

I recently visited with a sister in our ward.  She had some left-over roast from dinner, and was cutting it up and putting it in freezer packs for future meals.  Another sister showed me her garden and some of the canning she had done with her produce.  And one sister, facing some potential health difficulties in her family, assured me that she had planned and prepared some meals ahead so that she would be ready.

I was impressed by the example these sisters set of being self-reliant.  They may not have thought too much of their actions, but they were following the council of our church leaders to be “self-reliant”.

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The purpose of becoming spiritually and temporally self-reliant is to become better able to serve the Lord and care for others (see John 15:8). The Savior invites us all to act, to stand independent, and to become as He is. He will help us. He has promised: “It is my purpose to provide for my saints, for all things are mine. But it must needs be done in mine own way” (D&C 104:15–16). His way includes learning and living the principles of self-reliance—“the ability, commitment, and effort to provide the necessities of life for self and family” (Providing in the Lord’s Way: Summary of a Leader’s Guide to Welfare [2009]).

With fall and “harvest” fast approaching, as you fill your cupboards and jars, make sure you are also “preserving” your testimony and “storing-up” lots of faith. That is the very best kind of "food-storage"! :) 

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"Remember, no one can reach upward on your behalf. Only your faith and prayers will cause you to lift yourself and have the mighty change of heart. Only your resolve to be obedient can change your life. Because of the Savior’s atoning sacrifice for you, the power is in you.17 You have your agency, you have strong testimonies if you are obedient, and you can follow the Spirit that guides you."

(Elder Robert D. Hales)

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I’m proud of your efforts to be spiritually and temporally self-reliant.  Keep up the good work!

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

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