August 14, 2009
August 10, 2009
August 10, 2009 – Monday
Okay… “minimum” is the word of the day, again! I get overwhelmed with EVERYTHING I need to do, and end up putting lots of stuff off…so if people used to think I “do lots of things, but not anything very well” that just got “even LESS well!” J Or at least not as detailed. “A little” vs. “nothing at all!”
Monday, Nat and I went up to Pine Valley and rode for four hours. It was beautiful and we had fun!
On Tuesday, Nat, Dad and I helped Sheldon Wittwer haul a field of hay (about 125 bales). I didn’t do too much work since I was driving the truck while Dad and Nat threw the bales on the trailer for Sheldon to stack. Then we drove the two loads down to the corrals and stacked it all under the hay shed. (I helped with that!) It didn’t take a ton of time and it feels really good to know we’ve got the hay for the horses through next spring.
I did a bunch of work in the house cleaning stuff that’s been bugging me for awhile (downstairs family room, upstairs stuff…etc.), later in the afternoon Nat and I drove out to Virgin and saw all the horses and their new foals. It was pretty fun, AND the horses came right up to us! Rod and I went to the temple Tuesday evening…that was good, too!
Wednesday I had my presidency (Primary) meeting. We sure enjoy being together (Celeste Reed, April Nielsen, Hyunjoo Godfrey and myself)
Thursday, all of us but Hyunjoo (who doesn’t like to ride) went horseback riding in Pine Valley. We went out towards Grass Valley and then came back exploring the trail up and over the mountain and ending up at the Pine Valley Cemetery.
Natalee left with Kjersten’s family to go to Lake Powell for a few days.
Friday, Dallin left with Scott Morris for a quick trip to California and the beach. They loved it!! I wish I could have gone!! But I took Denzel’s girlfriend, Anna, her daughter Bridger, and David Jorgensen riding at Pine Valley. We went up Forsyth Trail and it was a beautiful ride. (I’d give MORE details, like the treacherous part we maneuvered, Lucky kicking Silver, riding fast in the pasture, etc., but I’m going for MINIMUM and getting this done, rather than leaving it for a few months and forgetting everything!!)
Also got them situated in a better hotel (Claridge Inn is a nice place, reasonably priced!)
Saturday I took Anna and Bridger to see the horses in Virgin, then, after a dead battery and Steve Spackman being there and giving us a jump, we managed to make it back and went to the Dinosaur Museum. I like the Triceratops stuffed dinosaur Bridger got.
We had some of the guys from Denzel’s unit over for dinner (BBQ hamburgers) and it was a nice evening.
I did Sharing Time in Primary and things went really well. Note: I don't think I have EVER been touched by a child's talk/testimony until Sunday. Audrey Godfrey's talk was good, but her TESTIMONY really touched my heart!!! I was sitting by Sister Deming and making sure Alex did NOT want to give her talk...when I felt the shift as Audrey started to relate her feelings about the temple open house. At first I thought she just wasn't sure what to say...then I realized she was really thinking about her experience and trying to convey what she had felt. I really was touched by the things she shared, but most importantly that she has the ability, at such a young age (7), to be aware of those feelings AND be able to communicate them!! Wow!!!
Okay… “minimum” is the word of the day, again! I get overwhelmed with EVERYTHING I need to do, and end up putting lots of stuff off…so if people used to think I “do lots of things, but not anything very well” that just got “even LESS well!” J Or at least not as detailed. “A little” vs. “nothing at all!”
Monday, Nat and I went up to Pine Valley and rode for four hours. It was beautiful and we had fun!
On Tuesday, Nat, Dad and I helped Sheldon Wittwer haul a field of hay (about 125 bales). I didn’t do too much work since I was driving the truck while Dad and Nat threw the bales on the trailer for Sheldon to stack. Then we drove the two loads down to the corrals and stacked it all under the hay shed. (I helped with that!) It didn’t take a ton of time and it feels really good to know we’ve got the hay for the horses through next spring.
I did a bunch of work in the house cleaning stuff that’s been bugging me for awhile (downstairs family room, upstairs stuff…etc.), later in the afternoon Nat and I drove out to Virgin and saw all the horses and their new foals. It was pretty fun, AND the horses came right up to us! Rod and I went to the temple Tuesday evening…that was good, too!
Wednesday I had my presidency (Primary) meeting. We sure enjoy being together (Celeste Reed, April Nielsen, Hyunjoo Godfrey and myself)
Thursday, all of us but Hyunjoo (who doesn’t like to ride) went horseback riding in Pine Valley. We went out towards Grass Valley and then came back exploring the trail up and over the mountain and ending up at the Pine Valley Cemetery.
Natalee left with Kjersten’s family to go to Lake Powell for a few days.
Friday, Dallin left with Scott Morris for a quick trip to California and the beach. They loved it!! I wish I could have gone!! But I took Denzel’s girlfriend, Anna, her daughter Bridger, and David Jorgensen riding at Pine Valley. We went up Forsyth Trail and it was a beautiful ride. (I’d give MORE details, like the treacherous part we maneuvered, Lucky kicking Silver, riding fast in the pasture, etc., but I’m going for MINIMUM and getting this done, rather than leaving it for a few months and forgetting everything!!)
Also got them situated in a better hotel (Claridge Inn is a nice place, reasonably priced!)
Saturday I took Anna and Bridger to see the horses in Virgin, then, after a dead battery and Steve Spackman being there and giving us a jump, we managed to make it back and went to the Dinosaur Museum. I like the Triceratops stuffed dinosaur Bridger got.
We had some of the guys from Denzel’s unit over for dinner (BBQ hamburgers) and it was a nice evening.
I did Sharing Time in Primary and things went really well. Note: I don't think I have EVER been touched by a child's talk/testimony until Sunday. Audrey Godfrey's talk was good, but her TESTIMONY really touched my heart!!! I was sitting by Sister Deming and making sure Alex did NOT want to give her talk...when I felt the shift as Audrey started to relate her feelings about the temple open house. At first I thought she just wasn't sure what to say...then I realized she was really thinking about her experience and trying to convey what she had felt. I really was touched by the things she shared, but most importantly that she has the ability, at such a young age (7), to be aware of those feelings AND be able to communicate them!! Wow!!!
July 31, 2009
July 21, 2009
Mom’s Moment
July 2009
When Dallin and I were in Logan for the USU Piano Clinic, I received a link to a website about setting goals. I almost tossed it, but then decided to check it out. Here is some of the information I learned:
When trying to accomplish something (isn’t that what goal setting is about??), think M T O. (That does not mean “Monday, Tuesday, or Other day!”)
M = MINIMUM What is the MINIMUM you can do to start working on your goal? To use as illustration, imagine cleaning out the garage. What is a really minimal thing I can do to start working on the garage? Maybe it’s taking the worn out tire that’s been sitting in the corner for two years, and putting it out on the curb for garbage pickup. I can EASILY do that. This is the beauty of M-T-O. Even if we only accomplish the MINIMUM, we are a success!! Success breeds repeat behavior; …so does failure. Ever wonder why you keep repeating the same mistakes…
Now, look at T, which is TARGET. What is a bigger goal, but realistic, that would help you towards your ultimate goal? “Maybe I could take a garbage bag out to the garage, and fill ONE BAG each week with stuff that needs thrown out.” It’s a bigger-than-minimum goal, yet still realistic. Once we reach our MINIMUM goal, we start working on our TARGET goal. Again, we are spurred on by our success in achieving our reachable goals.
Lastly, we look at O, which is OUTRAGEOUS. What’s the “over-the-top” kind of thing that’s related to our goal? In the case of the garage, an OUTRAGEOUS thing would be to call Jeff Feltwell, the “King of OCD” (he seems to be obsessively & compulsively organized in his garage!) and ask him to come over and give me some suggestions on how to better organize and de-clutter the garage.
When I first thought of this “OUTRAGEOUS” part, it was just very funny to me and seemed exactly that – outrageous. However, as I continue to think about it and work towards my ultimate goal of cleaning out the garage, it doesn’t seem nearly so far-fetched, or even such a bad idea!
Now, putting this into application with other stuff…when I got back from Logan I felt very overwhelmed with all the stuff I needed to do. Everywhere I looked there was something else shouting at me, “PICK ME!!! PICK ME!!” And then I started to remember “M-T-O”. I started saying outloud, “Minimum!! Minimum!! Minimum!!” And I would quickly think of the minimum to cleaning the kitchen, unpacking, community garden, Primary Presidency, piano practicing, walking/running, and on and on. It was amazing what took place!!! I made LOTS of little steps towards things, and I didn’t feel like a failure!!! No, I didn’t get everything accomplished…in fact, I don’t think I finished anything. BUT, I did accomplish a lot as I did minimal things along the path of everything that needed doing. And I felt GREAT!!!! So, the next day I did the same thing…and the next, and the next!!
I’ve bottled 30 quarts of salsa, put up 15 pints of chili peppers, organized and got planted the community garden as well as our home garden (Fall corn and beans), gotten some decent piano practicing in, gone VTing, read the 6th volume of Harry Potter, and got the Swiss Days Parade Application done and into the City. AND we leave for camping at Navajo Lake tomorrow and it’s only THURSDAY!!
Remember: M – T – O will help you be successful in all that you’re trying to do!!
July 2009
When Dallin and I were in Logan for the USU Piano Clinic, I received a link to a website about setting goals. I almost tossed it, but then decided to check it out. Here is some of the information I learned:
When trying to accomplish something (isn’t that what goal setting is about??), think M T O. (That does not mean “Monday, Tuesday, or Other day!”)
M = MINIMUM What is the MINIMUM you can do to start working on your goal? To use as illustration, imagine cleaning out the garage. What is a really minimal thing I can do to start working on the garage? Maybe it’s taking the worn out tire that’s been sitting in the corner for two years, and putting it out on the curb for garbage pickup. I can EASILY do that. This is the beauty of M-T-O. Even if we only accomplish the MINIMUM, we are a success!! Success breeds repeat behavior; …so does failure. Ever wonder why you keep repeating the same mistakes…
Now, look at T, which is TARGET. What is a bigger goal, but realistic, that would help you towards your ultimate goal? “Maybe I could take a garbage bag out to the garage, and fill ONE BAG each week with stuff that needs thrown out.” It’s a bigger-than-minimum goal, yet still realistic. Once we reach our MINIMUM goal, we start working on our TARGET goal. Again, we are spurred on by our success in achieving our reachable goals.
Lastly, we look at O, which is OUTRAGEOUS. What’s the “over-the-top” kind of thing that’s related to our goal? In the case of the garage, an OUTRAGEOUS thing would be to call Jeff Feltwell, the “King of OCD” (he seems to be obsessively & compulsively organized in his garage!) and ask him to come over and give me some suggestions on how to better organize and de-clutter the garage.
When I first thought of this “OUTRAGEOUS” part, it was just very funny to me and seemed exactly that – outrageous. However, as I continue to think about it and work towards my ultimate goal of cleaning out the garage, it doesn’t seem nearly so far-fetched, or even such a bad idea!
Now, putting this into application with other stuff…when I got back from Logan I felt very overwhelmed with all the stuff I needed to do. Everywhere I looked there was something else shouting at me, “PICK ME!!! PICK ME!!” And then I started to remember “M-T-O”. I started saying outloud, “Minimum!! Minimum!! Minimum!!” And I would quickly think of the minimum to cleaning the kitchen, unpacking, community garden, Primary Presidency, piano practicing, walking/running, and on and on. It was amazing what took place!!! I made LOTS of little steps towards things, and I didn’t feel like a failure!!! No, I didn’t get everything accomplished…in fact, I don’t think I finished anything. BUT, I did accomplish a lot as I did minimal things along the path of everything that needed doing. And I felt GREAT!!!! So, the next day I did the same thing…and the next, and the next!!
I’ve bottled 30 quarts of salsa, put up 15 pints of chili peppers, organized and got planted the community garden as well as our home garden (Fall corn and beans), gotten some decent piano practicing in, gone VTing, read the 6th volume of Harry Potter, and got the Swiss Days Parade Application done and into the City. AND we leave for camping at Navajo Lake tomorrow and it’s only THURSDAY!!
Remember: M – T – O will help you be successful in all that you’re trying to do!!
January 25, 2009
19 Rules
These rules are tied to eternal laws. They cannot be broken...we can only break ourselves against them if we live contrary to them. I hope these help each of us!
Rule #1
KNOW WHAT YOU WANT!
I will spend time deciding exactly what I want, and why. I will set aside all the reasons it may seem impossible, and all the reasons I think it may fail while I allow myself to imagine a wonderful new picture for my life.
RULE #2
I know that my passionate thoughts will emanate from my mind like radio waves, causing unseen things to happen on my behalf, – I will enjoy success in my mind and in my heart. I will feel the joy now; and I will know that these constructive thoughts are my little soldiers sent out to fight my battles ahead of me. They are preparing the way.
RULE #3
I know that there is no obstacle so great that there is not also a way prepared for me to succeed. There is always a way. If I can see it in my mind, and if it does not violate anyone else's agency, then it is possible. I will not give up until I find the way.
RULE #4
I know that I have all I need to get started, and that's all that matters. – Just like an acorn in the ground, I will act on my immediate surroundings. In time, my connections will lead me to obtain all I need to accomplish my grand design.
Remember Nephi and the plates, building a ship; the Sons of Mosiah and the Lamanites; there is Enos; the Brother of Jared, Captain Moroni, and many, many others! They all went to the Lord with the desires of their hearts and went forth, knowing it would be granted.
RULE #5
I will write it down.
I will "submit" my goal to the Master Chef. If you do not submit your order to the chef at a restaurant can you expect to get what you want? Not hardly, I will expect my results to come just as I "ordered"; therefore I will be careful to be completely specific in my description. The more specific the desire, the more amazed I will be when it comes; and as a result I will know that its realization was no coincidence. I am continually grateful to the Master for all I receive.
Rule #6
I know that whatever is needed to accomplish my goal will be drawn to me once I have planted the seed in my mind. I know that all I need is on its way... therefore, it is so.
Rule #7
Whatever my circumstances are, I can and will always choose my own thoughts. My eyes will be opened to see solutions and opportunities that would otherwise be hidden from my view. I expect to find that which I seek. It is my choice to maintain an expectant mind-set, which actually lights the way. Without an expectation, the way remains hidden in the darkness.
Rule #8
When I have a choice, I choose to believe.
It does me no harm to believe. If I am wrong, I will cross that bridge when I come to it. In the meantime, I have nothing to lose by believing. I choose to believe. It is a choice.
Rule #9
I will doubt not, and I will fear not. It just simply isn't good for me. Doubt and fear are emotions that can put me in harmony with the very thing I fear. I choose to dismiss fearful and doubtful thoughts because they are mental images of circumstances that may never happen. Why would I ever want to waste mental energy attracting something I don't want?
Rule #10
I will make sacrifices for wisdom, and I know that it will pay me well.
I expect to make sacrifices for wisdom. I eagerly make the necessary sacrifice because I know it will be worth the price. Wisdom may be one of the only things I will take with me when I pass on. An investment in my knowledge will pay great dividends.
Rule #11
I will get what I ask for out of life...I'll have the courage to ask.
I have nothing to lose by asking. If I hear "no," then I am no worse off than before. If I hear "yes," then I'll celebrate, and learn to expect "yes" more frequently.
Rule #12
I'll visualize the outcome, and the right people will do the right things to help it happen. It is not for me to know who the right people are. I do not manipulate people with my thoughts; I simply emanate the desires of my heart and move my feet. Others who can help me along the way are also helped by me to accomplish their goals as well.
Rule #13
I know that there is more than enough for everybody.
If the supply ever ran dry, more would be created out of the formless substance in the same way it was created in the beginning. There is no need for competition. By operating on a creative plane rather than a competitive plane, my eyes will continue to see opportunities and abundance. Only by my doubt and fear will I ever live in scarcity..
Rule #14
I'm expecting! I will allow my objective to happen at the right time.
Just as a baby in the womb needs time to develop, so does my new idea. I will be patient and allow it to grow at nature's pace. I want it to arrive fully formed, healthy and strong. If I must wait longer than expected, my anticipation will only increase and I will continue to prepare for its arrival.
Rule #15
I will write a detailed description of my life.
I will describe it just as I want it as though it has already happened, with a future date at the top like a journal entry. I will allow myself to feel gratitude as though it is already mine. I will experience it now.
Rule #16
I know that which I desire is looking for me!
Nature is friendly to my plans. I only have to go halfway, because that which I desire meets me in the middle. I know that as I continue to move toward the accomplishment of my goal, the outcome is approaching me just as rapidly.
Rule #17
I will scrutinize each word in my goal, or gratitude statement.
I will write a future date at the top: a date I hope to see the dream come true. The date is far enough away to be believable, but close enough to keep me awake at night. I will only choose words for my gratitude statement which make me think of the positive aspects of the dream. I will write in present tense, and describe how it feels "now that I enjoy" the success.
I will follow the format: "(Date): I am so happy and grateful now that I enjoy _________________________ because _________________________________ _________________________________________________________________.
Rule #18
Goal first – way second.
I will not select the goal based on a way I already have in mind. If I do, then I am not dreaming big enough. I will select the goal based on the desires of my heart. The way will come after the goal is properly set; after I have composed and internalized my gratitude statement.
Rule #19
I know exactly what fear is, and it doesn't stop me.
If I feel fear or anxiety related to achieving my goal, I know it's simply my subconscious mind wrestling with two contradictory truths such as "I am broke" and "I am wealthy." Fear is evidence that I have successfully turned over the new idea to my subconscious mind through emotion; and if I persist in spite of the fear, I will overcome old programming. In the face of anxiety, I will proceed anyway.
Rule #1
KNOW WHAT YOU WANT!
I will spend time deciding exactly what I want, and why. I will set aside all the reasons it may seem impossible, and all the reasons I think it may fail while I allow myself to imagine a wonderful new picture for my life.
RULE #2
I know that my passionate thoughts will emanate from my mind like radio waves, causing unseen things to happen on my behalf, – I will enjoy success in my mind and in my heart. I will feel the joy now; and I will know that these constructive thoughts are my little soldiers sent out to fight my battles ahead of me. They are preparing the way.
RULE #3
I know that there is no obstacle so great that there is not also a way prepared for me to succeed. There is always a way. If I can see it in my mind, and if it does not violate anyone else's agency, then it is possible. I will not give up until I find the way.
RULE #4
I know that I have all I need to get started, and that's all that matters. – Just like an acorn in the ground, I will act on my immediate surroundings. In time, my connections will lead me to obtain all I need to accomplish my grand design.
Remember Nephi and the plates, building a ship; the Sons of Mosiah and the Lamanites; there is Enos; the Brother of Jared, Captain Moroni, and many, many others! They all went to the Lord with the desires of their hearts and went forth, knowing it would be granted.
RULE #5
I will write it down.
I will "submit" my goal to the Master Chef. If you do not submit your order to the chef at a restaurant can you expect to get what you want? Not hardly, I will expect my results to come just as I "ordered"; therefore I will be careful to be completely specific in my description. The more specific the desire, the more amazed I will be when it comes; and as a result I will know that its realization was no coincidence. I am continually grateful to the Master for all I receive.
Rule #6
I know that whatever is needed to accomplish my goal will be drawn to me once I have planted the seed in my mind. I know that all I need is on its way... therefore, it is so.
Rule #7
Whatever my circumstances are, I can and will always choose my own thoughts. My eyes will be opened to see solutions and opportunities that would otherwise be hidden from my view. I expect to find that which I seek. It is my choice to maintain an expectant mind-set, which actually lights the way. Without an expectation, the way remains hidden in the darkness.
Rule #8
When I have a choice, I choose to believe.
It does me no harm to believe. If I am wrong, I will cross that bridge when I come to it. In the meantime, I have nothing to lose by believing. I choose to believe. It is a choice.
Rule #9
I will doubt not, and I will fear not. It just simply isn't good for me. Doubt and fear are emotions that can put me in harmony with the very thing I fear. I choose to dismiss fearful and doubtful thoughts because they are mental images of circumstances that may never happen. Why would I ever want to waste mental energy attracting something I don't want?
Rule #10
I will make sacrifices for wisdom, and I know that it will pay me well.
I expect to make sacrifices for wisdom. I eagerly make the necessary sacrifice because I know it will be worth the price. Wisdom may be one of the only things I will take with me when I pass on. An investment in my knowledge will pay great dividends.
Rule #11
I will get what I ask for out of life...I'll have the courage to ask.
I have nothing to lose by asking. If I hear "no," then I am no worse off than before. If I hear "yes," then I'll celebrate, and learn to expect "yes" more frequently.
Rule #12
I'll visualize the outcome, and the right people will do the right things to help it happen. It is not for me to know who the right people are. I do not manipulate people with my thoughts; I simply emanate the desires of my heart and move my feet. Others who can help me along the way are also helped by me to accomplish their goals as well.
Rule #13
I know that there is more than enough for everybody.
If the supply ever ran dry, more would be created out of the formless substance in the same way it was created in the beginning. There is no need for competition. By operating on a creative plane rather than a competitive plane, my eyes will continue to see opportunities and abundance. Only by my doubt and fear will I ever live in scarcity..
Rule #14
I'm expecting! I will allow my objective to happen at the right time.
Just as a baby in the womb needs time to develop, so does my new idea. I will be patient and allow it to grow at nature's pace. I want it to arrive fully formed, healthy and strong. If I must wait longer than expected, my anticipation will only increase and I will continue to prepare for its arrival.
Rule #15
I will write a detailed description of my life.
I will describe it just as I want it as though it has already happened, with a future date at the top like a journal entry. I will allow myself to feel gratitude as though it is already mine. I will experience it now.
Rule #16
I know that which I desire is looking for me!
Nature is friendly to my plans. I only have to go halfway, because that which I desire meets me in the middle. I know that as I continue to move toward the accomplishment of my goal, the outcome is approaching me just as rapidly.
Rule #17
I will scrutinize each word in my goal, or gratitude statement.
I will write a future date at the top: a date I hope to see the dream come true. The date is far enough away to be believable, but close enough to keep me awake at night. I will only choose words for my gratitude statement which make me think of the positive aspects of the dream. I will write in present tense, and describe how it feels "now that I enjoy" the success.
I will follow the format: "(Date): I am so happy and grateful now that I enjoy _________________________ because _________________________________ _________________________________________________________________.
Rule #18
Goal first – way second.
I will not select the goal based on a way I already have in mind. If I do, then I am not dreaming big enough. I will select the goal based on the desires of my heart. The way will come after the goal is properly set; after I have composed and internalized my gratitude statement.
Rule #19
I know exactly what fear is, and it doesn't stop me.
If I feel fear or anxiety related to achieving my goal, I know it's simply my subconscious mind wrestling with two contradictory truths such as "I am broke" and "I am wealthy." Fear is evidence that I have successfully turned over the new idea to my subconscious mind through emotion; and if I persist in spite of the fear, I will overcome old programming. In the face of anxiety, I will proceed anyway.
Mom's Moment
January 25, 2009
Somewhere in the back of my mind I had not paid attention to the fact that Jesus Christ is the great I AM. For some reason I was thinking it was God, the Eternal Father. As I think of it though, the Son does the Father's will in everything... in one of the verses of scripture I remember without looking up the reference it says, "if you have seen me, you have seen the Father..." In nearly all references in the scriptures, when it says "God" it is referring to Jehovah, or Jesus Christ.
Now, getting on with my point, we know Lucifer was not happy or pleased with Christ being chosen for our Heavenly Father's plan in the pre-mortal existence. Did you know that Lucifer means "son of the morning" as well as "light bringer"? He was very important, and yet, because of his choices to rebel against our Heavenly Father, he was cast out, never to receive a mortal body. His name became Satan, which means "slanderer" and "spoiler." Instead of bringing light, he sets out to deceive, to make miserable, and to destroy each of our Heavenly Father's children! And he's having a lot of success!
Satan wanted our Heavenly Father's glory...Satan wanted to be chosen over Christ–he wasn't. So, being the spoiler, the slanderer, he settles for deceiving us into thinking "wrongly" -- he presents his thoughts in our minds as if they are really our thoughts. He is the great liar, the great deceiver -- he is NOT the great I AM.
Satan does everything in his power to belittle us, degrade us – doing so most effectively by what we hear in our heads and think we are telling ourselves. LISTEN to what gets said, then consider the source!! If it is negative, discouraging, self-deprecating (putting yourself down!), frustrated, irritated, angry, impatient, etc. etc., I guarantee you it's NOT from our Heavenly Father!!!
Many times we think it is "us" with those thoughts - - "I am so mad"; "I am so frustrated"; "I am so irritated"; or how about "You make me so mad!" "You are so stupid!" "You are so selfish!" "You are so stubborn!" – the list goes on and on. The adversary is expert at his endeavors!! But we are not helpless. The gospel truly does have the answers, but sometimes we don't recognize them because they are so simple!!
In the Bible Dictionary it says the following:
Since the devil and his premortal angels have no physical body of flesh and bones, they often seek to possess the bodies of mortal beings. There are many such instances recorded in scripture (Matt. 9: 32; Matt. 12: 22; Mark 1: 24; Mark 5: 7; Luke 8: 30; Acts 19: 15; cf. Mosiah 3: 6).
Such can be evicted by the power of faith in Jesus Christ and the exercise of the holy priesthood. Jesus gave this power to his disciples.
(Matt. 10: 1; Mark 16: 17; Luke 10: 17; Acts 5: 16; D&C 84: 67).
So, I hope we learn to be very careful when we start thinking thoughts of "I am..." statements. If they are derogatory, demeaning, or negative we can pretty well bet they come from the adversary. Sure, there are lots of things that we can work on and improve upon. But our Savior, and our Heavenly Father NEVER talk in that way.
We may get reprimanded at times, being told directly to stop, or to change, or whatever! But it is NEVER done in a deceptive way, making us think badly about ourselves. When we receive revelation from the right source, it is always (in my experience) from the outside in. I KNOW it isn't "my thoughts"; even though sometimes they may be very quiet inspirations that come. True revelation/inspiration never deceives!
January 25, 2009
Somewhere in the back of my mind I had not paid attention to the fact that Jesus Christ is the great I AM. For some reason I was thinking it was God, the Eternal Father. As I think of it though, the Son does the Father's will in everything... in one of the verses of scripture I remember without looking up the reference it says, "if you have seen me, you have seen the Father..." In nearly all references in the scriptures, when it says "God" it is referring to Jehovah, or Jesus Christ.
Now, getting on with my point, we know Lucifer was not happy or pleased with Christ being chosen for our Heavenly Father's plan in the pre-mortal existence. Did you know that Lucifer means "son of the morning" as well as "light bringer"? He was very important, and yet, because of his choices to rebel against our Heavenly Father, he was cast out, never to receive a mortal body. His name became Satan, which means "slanderer" and "spoiler." Instead of bringing light, he sets out to deceive, to make miserable, and to destroy each of our Heavenly Father's children! And he's having a lot of success!
Satan wanted our Heavenly Father's glory...Satan wanted to be chosen over Christ–he wasn't. So, being the spoiler, the slanderer, he settles for deceiving us into thinking "wrongly" -- he presents his thoughts in our minds as if they are really our thoughts. He is the great liar, the great deceiver -- he is NOT the great I AM.
Satan does everything in his power to belittle us, degrade us – doing so most effectively by what we hear in our heads and think we are telling ourselves. LISTEN to what gets said, then consider the source!! If it is negative, discouraging, self-deprecating (putting yourself down!), frustrated, irritated, angry, impatient, etc. etc., I guarantee you it's NOT from our Heavenly Father!!!
Many times we think it is "us" with those thoughts - - "I am so mad"; "I am so frustrated"; "I am so irritated"; or how about "You make me so mad!" "You are so stupid!" "You are so selfish!" "You are so stubborn!" – the list goes on and on. The adversary is expert at his endeavors!! But we are not helpless. The gospel truly does have the answers, but sometimes we don't recognize them because they are so simple!!
In the Bible Dictionary it says the following:
Since the devil and his premortal angels have no physical body of flesh and bones, they often seek to possess the bodies of mortal beings. There are many such instances recorded in scripture (Matt. 9: 32; Matt. 12: 22; Mark 1: 24; Mark 5: 7; Luke 8: 30; Acts 19: 15; cf. Mosiah 3: 6).
Such can be evicted by the power of faith in Jesus Christ and the exercise of the holy priesthood. Jesus gave this power to his disciples.
(Matt. 10: 1; Mark 16: 17; Luke 10: 17; Acts 5: 16; D&C 84: 67).
So, I hope we learn to be very careful when we start thinking thoughts of "I am..." statements. If they are derogatory, demeaning, or negative we can pretty well bet they come from the adversary. Sure, there are lots of things that we can work on and improve upon. But our Savior, and our Heavenly Father NEVER talk in that way.
We may get reprimanded at times, being told directly to stop, or to change, or whatever! But it is NEVER done in a deceptive way, making us think badly about ourselves. When we receive revelation from the right source, it is always (in my experience) from the outside in. I KNOW it isn't "my thoughts"; even though sometimes they may be very quiet inspirations that come. True revelation/inspiration never deceives!
January 18, 2009
Mom's Moment
January 18, 2009
Engaged/engagement is an interesting word! Sometimes it's a declaration of intent, as in "Amelia and Jared are engaged!" There is a very different feeling when we say "The army was engaged in war." However, the engagement I want to talk about has to do with communication.
Tracy Whelchel's husband works for Mars Corporation. (Did you know they're a HUGE producer of pet food?!?! And I thought they just made candy! Silly me!) Large corporations deal with huge employee (human resource) departments. They have people whose job it is to train employees to do a better job doing the job they were hired to do. (Huh?!)
Anyway, one of the things Mars Corp. does is a great deal of training of their employees to be better communicators. I LIKE that! Communication is so important, and it's not always the easiest thing to do.
Mars says - When you have something important to discuss, the best case scenario is NOT over the phone, or via email, or fax or letter. Important/difficult discussions are much better done in person. Why is that? Here are just a few reasons:
Eye contact - conveys interest/attention without saying a word. It can also indicate understanding or lack of understanding.
Facial Expression - same as above
Body Language - conveys many things not spoken
Undivided attention - When we communicate in person we KNOW if we have a person's undivided attention or not. Over the phone we may not have that understanding, and it can create unnecessary problems. Always be "engaged" in the conversation you are initiating or are participating in.
Offering occasional words of encouragement/or lack of understanding/seeking for clarification all help us understand each other better.
Kyle Ottmann was here for Family Council and for dinner and shared, "If it were a business meeting we would shake the other person's hand; or if it were someone telling us about a death or other personal matter we might want to offer sympathy through a hug." These were two great supporting ideas!!
Anyway, these are just a few of the things that will help each of us be better communicators with each other, and those around us.
P.S. And NEVER, EVER LIE TO YOUR MOTHER!!! It will NEVER improve a situation!! :-)
January 18, 2009
Engaged/engagement is an interesting word! Sometimes it's a declaration of intent, as in "Amelia and Jared are engaged!" There is a very different feeling when we say "The army was engaged in war." However, the engagement I want to talk about has to do with communication.
Tracy Whelchel's husband works for Mars Corporation. (Did you know they're a HUGE producer of pet food?!?! And I thought they just made candy! Silly me!) Large corporations deal with huge employee (human resource) departments. They have people whose job it is to train employees to do a better job doing the job they were hired to do. (Huh?!)
Anyway, one of the things Mars Corp. does is a great deal of training of their employees to be better communicators. I LIKE that! Communication is so important, and it's not always the easiest thing to do.
Mars says - When you have something important to discuss, the best case scenario is NOT over the phone, or via email, or fax or letter. Important/difficult discussions are much better done in person. Why is that? Here are just a few reasons:
Eye contact - conveys interest/attention without saying a word. It can also indicate understanding or lack of understanding.
Facial Expression - same as above
Body Language - conveys many things not spoken
Undivided attention - When we communicate in person we KNOW if we have a person's undivided attention or not. Over the phone we may not have that understanding, and it can create unnecessary problems. Always be "engaged" in the conversation you are initiating or are participating in.
Offering occasional words of encouragement/or lack of understanding/seeking for clarification all help us understand each other better.
Kyle Ottmann was here for Family Council and for dinner and shared, "If it were a business meeting we would shake the other person's hand; or if it were someone telling us about a death or other personal matter we might want to offer sympathy through a hug." These were two great supporting ideas!!
Anyway, these are just a few of the things that will help each of us be better communicators with each other, and those around us.
P.S. And NEVER, EVER LIE TO YOUR MOTHER!!! It will NEVER improve a situation!! :-)
January 11, 2009
TIPS FOR LIFE
Take a 10-30 minute walk every day. And while you walk, smile.
It is the ultimate anti-depressant.
Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.
(Buy a lock if you have to.)
When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement,
"My purpose is to __________________________ today."
Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that
is manufactured in plants.
Drink plenty of water. Eat blueberries, broccoli, and almonds. Drink more water!
Try to make at least three people smile each day.
Find at least one way to bless the life of someone else today.
It is the ultimate anti-depressant.
Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.
(Buy a lock if you have to.)
When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement,
"My purpose is to __________________________ today."
Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that
is manufactured in plants.
Drink plenty of water. Eat blueberries, broccoli, and almonds. Drink more water!
Try to make at least three people smile each day.
Find at least one way to bless the life of someone else today.
January 4, 2009
Mom’s Moment
January 4, 2009
Hope this helps each of us pay a little more attention to what we're doing with the time we have here on earth. Sometimes time can crawl at a very slow rate of speed. Other times it flies by!! Dad and I just celebrated our 29th anniversary, and we did our 2nd "10 year predictions/evaluations". It seems like a BLINK ago that Denzel was 8 and we were making predictions like "Rod WON'T be the bishop..." Boy, we were WAY off!!! We also didn't come close to predicting Kristy and Amelia would be involved in dance at all! Or that we'd have anything to do with a bunch of horses like we have, or that I would EVER teach piano lessons...and love it. We also NEVER guessed we'd ever own a grand piano!
We have been very blessed to have kept this record since April 3, 1988 (it started with April General Conference for some reason)!
So, please keep a record of your evaluations...find a notebook or something that you'll keep just for that purpose. It is priceless!!
Love,
Mom
========================================================================================
Have you thought of doing a "personal inventory" at the end of the year, or the beginning of a new year? It’s a good way to take an honest look at yourself, what you’re doing well, what you have learned, and perhaps help you look at things you need to fix, improve or do better with.
Here are some suggestions to help with the process:
This past year I learned:______________________________________________
I improved_______________________________________________________
Think along the lines of the Medicine Wheel– physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually -- then look at: attitude, behavior, communication, desires (appetites/passions/addictions), ego, and family/friends.
Don’t be too hard on yourself, but also try to be realistic. If you want to use the point system to help with evaluation do so on a scale of 1-9. One being low and needing lots of improvement, nine being high and doing well.
Once you have scored yourself, see what you’re doing well with, and also the areas that need some improvement.
Choose a few things you would like to work on and set some goals. Then refer back to the 19 Rules
January 4, 2009
Hope this helps each of us pay a little more attention to what we're doing with the time we have here on earth. Sometimes time can crawl at a very slow rate of speed. Other times it flies by!! Dad and I just celebrated our 29th anniversary, and we did our 2nd "10 year predictions/evaluations". It seems like a BLINK ago that Denzel was 8 and we were making predictions like "Rod WON'T be the bishop..." Boy, we were WAY off!!! We also didn't come close to predicting Kristy and Amelia would be involved in dance at all! Or that we'd have anything to do with a bunch of horses like we have, or that I would EVER teach piano lessons...and love it. We also NEVER guessed we'd ever own a grand piano!
We have been very blessed to have kept this record since April 3, 1988 (it started with April General Conference for some reason)!
So, please keep a record of your evaluations...find a notebook or something that you'll keep just for that purpose. It is priceless!!
Love,
Mom
========================================================================================
Have you thought of doing a "personal inventory" at the end of the year, or the beginning of a new year? It’s a good way to take an honest look at yourself, what you’re doing well, what you have learned, and perhaps help you look at things you need to fix, improve or do better with.
Here are some suggestions to help with the process:
This past year I learned:______________________________________________
I improved_______________________________________________________
Think along the lines of the Medicine Wheel– physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually -- then look at: attitude, behavior, communication, desires (appetites/passions/addictions), ego, and family/friends.
Don’t be too hard on yourself, but also try to be realistic. If you want to use the point system to help with evaluation do so on a scale of 1-9. One being low and needing lots of improvement, nine being high and doing well.
Once you have scored yourself, see what you’re doing well with, and also the areas that need some improvement.
Choose a few things you would like to work on and set some goals. Then refer back to the 19 Rules
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)