Thursday, Gathering, Amanda

Thursdays are one of my favorite days. I drive myself to work, which is a break from my car pool. I don't love to drive my self, but I love the break. I get to listen to whichever radio station I choose or listen to a book on tape. I get to make telephone calls without others hearing the conversation. I get to go to a couple of stores before going to school. Today Amanda came in and met me. We stopped at the teacher store and shopped. Mand and I are so much alike. When she was younger, I didn't like being so much alike. Now it is like a comfortable sweater. She is easy to be with and mostly happy. She doesn't put pressure on me or label me. She lets me be me. I think that is one of the best gifts we can give each other. I can try to be more like Mand and let others be themselves.

The Treasure Hunt

     I missed a day again. This has happened twice now. I drop into bed, exhausted, later than I should be going to bed. I drift off to sleep. Then in the morning, the alarm goes off, and I have a fairly clear mind and I realize I have not posted for my practicum. If I were keeping  a list of what make me unhappy, this would be near the top. I am crazy and very nutsy about getting good grades. I can let housework go, I can sit for hours working on homework, I am tenacious. I am not a slacker when it comes to homework of any kind. But I do forget sometimes!
    I have noticed as I read scriptures, the student manual, and conference talks the word 'happy' much more often. I like running across a sentence that tells me I can be happy or how I can be happy. After reading the sentence or paragraph I always wonder if that particular information will be listed under happiness when I do a search, as it is not the main topic of the article. I love random thoughts and messages about happiness. My practicum has turned into a treasure hunt, both in my reading and inside myself.

More Happiness

2 Nephi 2:13

And if ye shall say there is no law, ye shall also say there is no sin. If ye shall say there is no sin, ye shall also say there is no righteousness. And if there be no righteousness there be no happiness.  And if there be no righteousness there be no happiness. And if there be no righteousness nor happiness there be no punishment nor misery. and if these things are not there is no God. And if there is no God we are not, neither the earth; for there could have been no creation of things, neither to act nor to be acted upon; wherefore, all things must have vanished away.

1.  Happiness

BY DIANNE DIBB FORBIS

Happiness

doesn’t just happen.

Smiles shower

into a life

only when someone

has seeded

darkening cloudiness

with plans

that lead to glowing.

Joy jumps into view

only when someone

is beating

the bushes

to keep

glad action going.

Happiness

requires reach

up and out

from waiting pose.

2. Good Choices Equal Happiness   by Elder S Gifford Nielson

     The Lord opens His arms to us. We love Him by living the gospel.  :Through life's experiences we are molded to become something,: said Elder Nielsen. "I learned that the Lord never leaves you and what it takes to get back up when you get knocked down."  When he was a bishop he taught the 90 kids in his ward this catchphrase, :Good choices equal happiness...eternally." 

     Sometimes people get down on their luck and bail on the very thing that will help them, the gospel of Jesus Christ. Sadly, we know some who have decided to dive out instead of diving in when facing life's obstacles. Work through your issues. We are all trying to overcome the issues of this world. 

3. Conversion Story   by Lisa

     I likes to go out partying, a lot. I looked forward to the weekends. We would go the the bars, do silly things. I thought I was happy, now I know I wasn't. I was making wrong decisions. i knew there was more. I knew I could do more. I didn't know how before the missionaries knocked on my door. It didn't matter how I used to be, it was what I could become. The more I learned about the plan the greater my need to change. He doesn't ask us to change so we will be miserable. He asks us to change so you can be given so much more. He can bless you with the Spirit more.

Interview 1  David Mix  Son in Law  Lifetime member

     On a scale from 1-10   Dave is a 7.5

Asked 3 things that make him happy:

1. Family

2. Faith

3. Work

Asked 3 events that are his happiest so far:

1. The day he married Jen.

2. Having children. They have 4 daughters.

3. The day he graduated from ASU with a Master in Electrical Engineering.

Asked 3 things that contribute most to happiness:

1. People who are kind.

2. People who are intelligent.

3. People who are positive.

Advice to other, how to be happy:

Be grateful. 

Interview 2  Austin Hoopes  Son, child number 4  Lifetime member

Asked 3 things that make him happy:

1. Easily the gospel, being a member of the Church.

2. My family.

3. Successful employment.

Asked 3 events that have been his happiest so far:

1. Birth of children, they have 3 daughters.

2. Day he married Julianne.

3. Returning home from Afghanistan, deployed for 12 months. Apache helicopter pilot, served 2012-2013. Served as a Branch President while there.

Most important contributing factor to happiness:  Understand the plan of Salvation. Other things contribute, but that is most important.

Advice to others, how to be happy:

Learn who God is and what He requires of you.

Dedication of the Gilbert Temple

Today I attended the Gilbert Temple dedication at my stake center. I sat next to Claire Mary Mix. I am so happy I get to share important events with my grandchildren. I read 3 Nephi 18 while waiting for the dedication to begin. Jesus was visiting on the American continent. He prepared the sacrament for the multitude. We take the sacrament in remembrance of Him.
     President Eyring conducted the first session. We were able to watch the sealing of the cornerstone. President Monson was first, then he had his daughter, President Eyring, our new temple President LaSeur and his wife. One of President Monson's grandsons that live here in Arizona, and several others all placed some mortar around the cornerstone. President Monson had four children he had walked past also participate. When that was finished they went upstairs to the Celestial room. The choir sang a song, we listened to Sister LaSeur and President LaSeur. I was especially impressed by the new president. He has been a farmer here in Arizona. He donated the land where the temple was built. He mentioned a comment made by a visitor to the temple during the open house. It was mentioned that the temple must have cost a lot of money. They response to that was the comparison of the cost of broken families, the cost related to drugs, gambling, and pornography, and other costs to the breakdown in society. Best answer I have heard in defense of spending a lot of money to keep families together and teach them to live in a way to return to live with Heavenly Father. I am so glad to have this new temple president. We also her from Tad R Callister. President Eyring gave an emotional address, followed by President Monson. The dedicatory prayer was given by President Eyring. The Hosana Shout was explained by and led by Elder Walker. We joined in singing The Spirit of God, followed by the closing prayer.
    I was happy to sit by Claire. She was wiggly and had a lot of questions. I am glad she could attend. At eight years old there is a lot yet to learn. I am thankful for this temple and the opportunity I have to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

From the News

2.27.2014  Today as I was drying my hair I let my mind wander. I remembered the day I went to the store and bought my hair dryer. I remember wanting just he 'right one'. I wanted it to dry my thick hair efficiently. I looked at the wattage of each dryer. I looked at size and durability. I wanted to make a good decision so I wouldn't have to buy another dryer for a long time. It has been a few years and I was happy with my dryer...until I used my daughter in law's hair dryer. She has the best hair dryer I have ever used. It works fast, it is easy to hold, I think it is smaller the one I have. I want a hair dryer like hers. Then I started thinking about my reading and the lecture this week. I thought about Jesus coming to fulfill the law, not destroy the law. He isn't saying I can't use a hair dryer anymore, he is offering the best hair dryer ever invented. I want his hair dryer. He wants me to live a higher law. He wants me to show mercy. He wants me to be a peacemaker. He wants me to chose his way.

23.1.2014  I have been trying to resolve a political issue all week long and I believe I found my answer this morning. First I prayed before I started to study and second I noted a page number in the student manual so I would remember something that impressed me at the time. This morning I went back to the page and didn't remember what I was impressed by, but scanning the page found it. It is my answer to the political situation in Arizona this week. A bill passed this week which would protect business owners from lawsuits allowing them to refuse service based on religious beliefs. Although passed through our legislature it had not been signed by the governor. So much debate and drama. The spin on this bill has been that if this bill was signed it would be open discrimination on gay people everywhere. All the heavy hitters came to the party. Arizona is hosting the Super Bowl next year, that organization threatened to pull out if the bill passed. A restaurant owner posted a sign that his establishment would refuse service to legislators that voted in favor of the bill. The governor was out of town and the hype continued to escalate and the tension grew as the people weighed in on whether or not the bill would be vetoed this Saturday. Governor Jan Brewer arrived back in town on Wednesday and by Thursday morning I learned she had vetoed the bill on Wednesday night and put an end to the debate. In my opinion it is another win for the dark side. I do not believe we should discriminate, but I do not believe we should retaliate. I believe we are giving up our rights and freedom to a godless government. This law was intended to protect business owners that have been bullied out of business because they stood up for their beliefs. A photographer in Texas said they did not want to photograph a gay wedding, homosexuality is against their religious beliefs. A baker in Colorado, his business now closed and facing possible jail time, did not want to bake a cake for a gay couple...homosexuality is against his religious beliefs. All week I have been struggling with this. I believe the pendulum has swung in favor of homosexuality because it is no longer considered a sin by main stream America. Therefore, those who believe it is as sin, no longer have a leg to stand on. We are considered bigots and discriminators. I want to remember this message from Elder Russel M Nelson. For me it explains why I feel the way I do and why I believe Governor Brewer should not have vetoed the bill. "Jesus taught the golden rule, saying, 'all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you , do ye even so to them, Matt 7:12. This principle is found in nearly every religion. Others such as Confucius and Aristotle have also taught it. After all the gospel did not begin with the birth of the Babe in Bethlehem. It is everlasting. It was proclaimed in the beginning to Adam and Eve. Wherever it is found and however it is expressed the golden rule encompasses the moral code of the kingdom of God. it forbids interference by one with the rights of another. It is equally binding on nations, associations, and individuals with compassion and forbearance, it replaces the retaliatory reactions of 'an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth' Matt 5:38. My concern is that my religious freedom is being redefined by a minority of individuals that do not live by the golden rule.   

Cultural Celebration for the Gilbert Temple dedication

     I am posting this morning, before the event that will bring me happiness. Today is the cultural celebration presented on the eve of the dedication of the Gilbert Temple. This is a blessing to our community. I have been blessed by this event. The weather prediction is rain!  It doesn't rain in Arizona...hardly ever. I am expecting a miracle. My husband said, "It rains on the wicked and the righteous", but I am hoping for the rain to be delayed or if it does start raining that it will take a break. Last week at the practice a lot of kids that suffer from allergies had to be treated by the medical staff on site. Not surprising, 12,000 youth moving around on dry, dusty grass will stir up a lot of allergens. The plan was to have the area sprayed with water this week to try to prevent the problem, so rain wouldn't be all bad. I am not involved in the celebration, but Jen is. She signed us up to be overflow drivers of youth. It wasn't convenient last week when Amy was here and I had homework, so Bill drove both morning and evening. He was a good sport about it. In fact he is driving them this morning too, which allows me to finish my homework and do some housework before going. The best part is that we got tickets for tonight because we are drivers! The tickets are so limited. I expected to watch the broadcast on television. President Monson will be there, as well as President Eyring. Jen told us a little about the program last week after their 12 hour practice. It gave me goosies and I was in near tears. I can't imagine this morning how it will feel to actually be there to watch and feel the spirit. Tomorrow is the dedication. No church meetings held in the state of Arizona. We have our recommends and our white handkerchiefs. I am happy.

Book of Mormon Reading Choice 3 3 Nephi 11-17

1. Jesus told the people go to their homes and ponder what he had told them. He told them to ask the Father or pray to understand what they had been taught. By doing those two things they would be prepared to be taught again the next day when he would be with them. 

     I believe there are three important points to consider from these scriptures. First, is the instruction to ponder. Elder Neal A Maxwell said, "Pondering the things of God helps to keep us from being complacent in our approach to Him." He then reminded us of the people on the Rameumpton. These people prayed a memorized prayer from the top of their tower, then went home without another thought of the God they prayed to. I believe that when I ponder what I have read or learned, this allows me to internalize and filter the message. I am able to understand concepts in relation to my life experiences which then leads me to greater testimony or towards continued study to resolve questions.

     The second important suggestion given was to pray to the Father for understanding of what had been taught. Each layer of effort we expend to learn and understand multiplies the outcome. Just reading the scriptures will give us some knowledge. When we read and ponder our knowledge is expanded much greater beyond just reading. When we pray for understanding our understanding will be exponential. We can pray for understanding before, during, and after we pray. We can pray for the Spirit to be with us and we will feel its presence as we learn truth.

    The third instruction (not in chronological order) was to go to their homes. I believe our homes on a spectrum are either conducive to learning and studying the gospel or not. Depending on the media we watch and the way we treat each other will have an impact on whether or not the Spirit will be present. We can not serve two masters and our homes are a reflection of who and how we worship. 

 

2. Characteristics demonstrated by the Savior in 3 Nephi 17

     1. V 2 I perceive that ye are weak: Intuitive to the feelings or conditions of others and patient with their frailties.

     2. V 6 Behold, my bowels are filled with compassion towards you: Had compassion towards the people.

     3. V 7 My bowels are filled with mercy:  Had mercy towards them.

     4. V 8 For I see that your faith is sufficient that I should heal  you: Perceptive of others.

     5. V 9 He did heal them every one: He held the Priesthood and used its power to heal, coupled with the faith of those healed.

     6. V 14 I am troubled because of the wickedness of the people of the house of Israel: Has hope for the redemption of all men.

     7. V 15 He himself also knelt upon the earth; and behold he prayed unto the Father:  Was prayerful.

     8. V 15 The things which he prayed cannot be written: Prayed sincerely.

     9. V 16 So great and marvelous things as we saw and heard Jesus speak unto the Father: Had a perfect relationship with Heavenly Father.

     10. V17 No one can conceive of the joy which filled our souls at the time we heard him pray for us unto the Father: His actions brought joy to others.

     11. V20 Blessed are ye because of your faith. And now behold, my joy is full: Found joy in others.

     12. V 21 He took their little children, one by one, and blessed them, and prayed unto the Father for them: Loved them.

 

3.  Setting new goals at this point in the semester is a challenge. I feel like my life is a balance and it doesn't take a lot to tip the balance and I am not able to keep up with what I have committed to. I have decided I want to be more prayerful. This is something I can do all day long if needed. Specifically, I want to include a prayer before I study, which I just did. Several students mentioned praying before study last semester and I believe it will be helpful in many ways. I believe it will increase the Spirit as I read the assigned material. I believe I will have increased capacity to learn and remember. I also want to remember to have a prayer of gratitude before I eat, when I am not at home. I also believe I can increase in sincerity by always praying specifically. It is repetitious to pray for my family members as a group. I believe it is more sincere to pray for specific individuals and their needs.