Jacob

We were reading in Jacob tonight, about the parable of the olive vineyard. While reading his verses, Joe pauses to insert, "Wow, these vineyard dudes really cared about their trees, huh?" When he had finished his section, I asked him who the Lord of the vineyard in the story was. He said Jesus. I asked him who the trees were, and he didn't know. I told him that the allegory was about Israel and the Gentiles, but reminded him that we are supposed to apply the scriptures to ourselves. I reread to the children that some of us are planted in good soil, some of us are planted in poor soil. The Lord always knows the condition of the soil where we are planted. Those planted in good soil can still bear no fruit, or bear sour fruit. Those who are planted in soil can produce lots of fruit. Whether we produce a little or a lot of fruit depends on us!

I needed to hear this story today. Life is always full of trials, as well as full of blessings. Which am I going to concentrate on? Will my fruit be sweet or sour? I know the Lord provides everything I need.

Today was fast and testimony day. I felt the spirit so strongly today that I spent a large portion of the day crying. I wanted to bear my testimony, too, but I was so emotional, and I hesitated too long. I wanted to talk about Primary, and about how frequently the Lord communicates to my spirit about the needs of particular children. I wanted to testify of his love for each of them, and how strongly I have felt the spirit with the children as we give our lesson during sharing time. I feel so blessed by my calling, by the joy that singing in the choir brings me, and by the stewardship of priesthood leaders in our ward. I am so grateful.

Scripture Power

I can't get the lyrics to this song out of my head!

Because I want to be like the Savior, and I can
I'm reading His instructions, I'm following His plan
Because I want the power His word will give to me
I'm changing how I live, I'm changing what I'll be

I'll find the sword of truth in each scripture that I learn.
I'll take the shield of faith from these pages that I turn.
I'll wear each vital part of the armor of the Lord
And fight my daily battles, and win a great reward

CHORUS
Scripture power keeps me safe from sin
Scripture power is the power to win!
Scripture power, everyday I need
The power that I get each time I read.


I think it's because I am in the midst of making some big changes in my life ("I'm changing how I live, I'm changing what I'll be")...about how I approach life, what I include in it, and the direction it's taking. I feel I need the Lord's help in making these changes, and perhaps it's his way of reminding me to turn to the scriptures for inspiration and help.

Why I Love Primary

On Sunday, we did a special sharing time where we had four stations set up and smaller groups of kids moved from station to station. Each station had a teacher/leader assigned to bear witness about how our prayers were answered. One was about how a prayer had been answered during conference or through living prophets. Another was how a prayer had been answered through another person. The third was how a prayer had been answered through the scriptures. The fourth was a testimony of how God always hears our prayers.

During the time when junior primary was in sharing time, I went with a particular group so that I could stay with Carson, who has autism and needs a little extra support from time to time.  We circled through group one and two, and he was quiet, but definitely very interested in hugging my leg and sitting on my lap. It seemed like he wasn't listening very much, but I could tell he was a little because of how he reacted from time to time. When we went to the third group, Holly was talking with the kids about the scriptures, and she asked whose words were in the scriptures. Nobody volunteered an answer, and she turned and asked Carson, "Whose words are in the scriptures?" In her hands, she held the open scriptures. Carson suddenly sat up in my lap, touched the pages of the scriptures, and said very sweetly and clearly, "Jesus Christ." I felt the rush of the spirit and tears immediately sprang to my eyes. I love that little boy!!

And that is why I love primary. A little boy's words can make me want to devour the scriptures. His words can make me feel the rush of the spirit. His love can help me feel the Savior's love. His simple faith can touch my heart.

Primary rocks!

Change is in the air!

I've been working my tail off in all of my classes. Each one keeps me busy, and it seems I always have flash cards in my hand trying to get my brain to absorb all of this new information.

In the midst of all this study, many things go undone...dishes, mopping, yard work, etc. I try to focus in and get my work done, but every once in a while, all those "undone" things start buzzing around in my head and I can't stand it anymore. At what is usually a very bad time (like right before a test) it reaches a tipping point, and I find myself unable to concentrate because all I can think about is tackling those things that need to be done.

Guess what? I'm at another tipping point. First, it was tackling the pile of laundry. Next, it was motivating my son to sweep the patio and put away a few things that shouldn't be hanging about. Today, I'm purging paper and filing things away so that I can once again see the top of my desk. I have the kids plugging away at the dishes, and by tomorrow night, I will have mopped the floors.

The bad part about all of this is the timing: I have two writing assignments due tomorrow and a test, plus my presentation on cancer for my psychology of disability class. I also have to go through depression screening for extra credit (even though I already know the answer to that one!) and get Kelly and Joe to the lab for lab work. I have a test on Friday as well.

However, if I don't do what my brain is telling me has to be done, I won't be able to concentrate on learning anything! What a dilemma.

I've also been trying to get more exercise into my schedule. I'd like to do Yoga with Laine a few days a week because she is REALLY stressing out about school. And I'd like to try to walk two miles a few days a week to get myself a little healthier. I've given up on losing weight...I can't seem to do it, but at least I can make my body more fit. It would be a LOT easier if I had someone to walk with.

On top of all of this, I keep having the feeling that there is a big change coming. I've had this feeling before and I've been right many, many times. I'm trying to pray about what to do in order to prepare for the future. unfortunately, one of those things that I set aside (unintentionally) for a bit to concentrate on school work has been scripture study (except family scripture study...we almost always do that!). So another thing I'm trying to put back in my schedule is personal scripture study. I'm hoping to be more in tune with the spirit as I work through all the problems and issues facing me and my family.

I guess we'll see what happens! At least my house will be more organized when the change hits. ;-p