Learning to Trust

Looks like it's my turn to blog barf... :)

So, the last two months, the last month in particular have been a particular challenge for me. I've had a very difficult time at work, but, today I received some very good news.

I will be staying at HVE next year. I am so pleased, relieved, and happy. For most of the year, there has been some question as to whether that would be an option for me - a lot due to some misunderstandings, and, honestly, some biased opinions.

It has been interesting to me, going through this trial, and reflecting on it, how easily recognizable the hand of the Lord has been in my life. I have learned a lot about how the Spirit communicates with me, and, that while He is an unchangeable God, the answers that are right beyond a shadow of a doubt, may not remain correct through the duration of a trial or situation.

I have been blessed with good home teachers, supportive family members, and phenomenal friends who have been such blessings in my life. I truly would not have made it without their confidence in me, their counsel, their encouragement, and their help.

As my friend mentioned near the beginning of this trial, "There is a difference between what we think we can become, and what the Lord knows we can become. He will always take us there if we don't give up on Him first."

This is the first time in my life that I haven't given up on the Lord when things got hard, before the trial was really over. I have learned SO much!

As my bishop put it today, praying and then doing the best you can while trusting in the Lord, works wonders. As Elder Maxwell once put it, "The more we know of Jesus, the more we will love Him. The more we know of Jesus, the more we will trust Him."

Among all of the other things I have learned in the last few months, that has been the greatest lesson - to simply trust.

The Draper Temple Dedication

This past Sunday I had the privilege of attending the Draper Temple dedication with Brian, Stacey, Tyler, Carter, and Stacey's parents. At the beginning, they showed a video of the inner rooms of the temple, which I had the opportunity to walk through during the open house two months ago. I was reminded of the feelings I had as I went through the open house - the feelings of love, of peace, of home. And, the overwhelming feeling that I would be entering those sacred rooms myself very soon.

What a blessing it has been for me to watch this temple from its announcement to it's dedication. I can't wait until I have the opportunity to enter those sacred doors. this temple will always hold a special and sacred place in my heart, as will the people I have shared this experience with.

It Happens...

So, I heard a song twice on my way home today that totally epitomized my day. :)
When you have to be at school (30 minutes away), five minutes after you wake up, it is cause for a string of various expletives to begin the day. :)
However, I didn't get pulled over by the Provo Canyon cop who pulled the person 2 cars in front of me over instead (thankfully, b/c I would have deserved it). So, a shout out to the person who took my ticket for me. And needless to say, even with the less-than-ideal start, Someone was definitely looking out for me!
I made it to school, and teaching today was fine. And, my important meeting today was ok as well.
Without sounding prideful, I'd also like to pat myself on the back for being able to laugh through it all today. So, when I heard this song on the way home, I laughed REALLY hard! Enjoy!

It Happens by Sugarland (tactful, almost-expletives omitted)

Missed my alarm clock ringing
Woke up telephone screaming
Boss man singing his same old song

Rolled in late about an hour
No cup of coffee, no shower
Walk of shame with two different shoes on

Now it is poor me, why me, oh me
Boring the same old worn out blah blah story
There is no good explanation for it at all

Ain't no rhyme or reason
No complicated meaning
Ain't no need to over think it
Let go laughing
Life don't go quite like you planned it
We try so hard to understand
Irrefutable, indisputable
The fact is
It happens

My trusty-rusty had a flat
I borrowed my neighbors Cadillac
"I'll be right back," going down to Wally World
That yellow light turned red too quickly
Knew that the truck moment it hit me
Out stepped my ex and his new girl
("Sorry 'bout your neck baby")

But it is poor me, why me, oh me
Boring the same old worn out blah blah story
There is no good explanation for it at all

Ain't no rhyme or reason
No complicated meaning
Ain't no need to over think it
Let go laughing
Life don't go quite like you planned it
We try so hard to understand
Irrefutable, indisputable
The fact is
It happens

Ain't no rhyme or reason
No complicated meaning
Ain't no need to over think it
Let go laughing
Life don't go quite like you planned it
We try so hard to understand
Irrefutable, indisputable
The fact is
It happens

Yeah, the irrefutable, indisputable, absoluteable, totally beautiful fact is
It happens

Insights from Stake Conference

So, Elder Ballard came to our stake conference today. It was a spectacular meeting, and it was exactly what I needed to get me through another week. It has been a rough month, and the last two weeks especially have been particularly difficult, with at least two more hard ones to go. But, I've been learning a lot, and so, here come my jumbled, but poignant thoughts...

Hymn #270 - I'll Go Where You Want Me to Go - "So trusting my all to thy tender care, And knowing thou lovest me, I'll do thy will with a heart sincere: I'll be what you want me to be." This is something that I've always had a hard time with. I like to think that I know what's best for my life, but, I do know He loves me. So, if I know He loves me, I need to trust Him - trust that He knows what's best for me, and that He will help me, and for once, let go of what I want.

A couple weeks ago, a friend said something interesting to me. He said, There's a difference between what we think we're capable of, and what the Lord knows we're capable of. And the Lord will always get us to our potential if we don't give up on Him first. He will never give up on us. I realized that in my life, when something is hard, or hurts, I have often backed down, given up, or let go of that thing. This is the first time I have faced something that has literally broken my heart and beaten me to a pulp, and yet, I haven't given up. I haven't quit because what my friend told me is true. I have simply resolved within myself that I'm not going to back down or give up until the Lord tells me it's over. I've thought about that a lot in the last few weeks, and truthfully, it's gotten me through the rougher days.

President Quigley, our stake president, talked about Overcoming Feelings of Inadequacy, and offered the following 3 steps:
1 - Remember Who You Are - We need to learn to see ourselves as the Savior sees us, especially by studying our Patriarchal blessings. If we follow the promises there, and develop the talents and gifts we've been given, greater blessings will follow.
2 - Believe in Yourself - believe the promises that you have received. When you know you are right with the Lord, you wax strong in confidence before man. Only compare yourself with your own potential. The Lord has promised to be with us, and to protect us.
3 - Cling to the Gospel - read, study and learn for yourself. Go forward with faith, listening for the voice from the Lord reassuring, "I love you".

President Thunnell, a member of our stake presidency, talked about becoming a Light for the Savior, in the following 3 ways:
1 - Choose Wisely - Our choices determine our happiness, therefore obedience and proper priorities are essential. We have the power to act, the consequences being confidence, peace, comfort, and happiness.
2 - Search Diligently - Fill your life with spiritual essentials, the gospel must be written in our hearts.
3 - Love Completely - Charity is Christlike love. Be anxious to love those around you and focus outside yourself.

Elder Stone talked about knowing who we are. It reminded me of something one of my students told me this week, "Miss Herring, you're my sister!" They have such a keen sense of who they are, and who we all are - and will remind me if I let them. Heavenly Father has chosen eternally to be a parent. He cares just as much and more than, and in the same way as our mortal parents, friends, and others who love us. Knowing who we are and His love for us changes everything!

Elder Ballard, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, also talked about knowing who we are. When we left the Spirit World, we knew we were eternal, we knew that if we were alright inside that everything would turn out right, and we shouted for joy at the opportunity to come here, knowing the difficulties, and joys, that we would face. Priesthood blessings are directly from the Lord, in His name, and by his literal power - those promises are literal, and binding. Our Spirits are the most important part of ourselves, and are nourished when we serve in the name of the Lord - then we are entitled to Heaven's aid. It is wonderful, and amazing that the Spirit of the Lord speaks to our Spirits - we must follow those promptings. Once we know and understand who we are, we would do nothing that would offend our Spirits. At the end of his talk, he left us with an apostolic blessing, that we would have all we need to be happy and at peace.

I have realized over the last couple of days that I have been letting the challenges I have been facing at work to get in the way of the essential things of life. I am a daughter of God with great potential, and my calling as a teacher began long before I came to this earth - and no one can take that away from me, unless I allow them to shake my confidence, and I am done with that. I am returning to the basic, essential things, and letting the rest fall into place.

I know who I am, and I know that I am loved by an omniscient, and omnipresent God, and brother. I know because today, the sun shone warmly on my face, the sky was blue, a robin looked at me from a bush, and snow crunched underfoot. I know because my needs are met daily. I know because today I met a 3-year-old who started a snowball fight with me, just to enjoy the day. I know because I have an inspired Relief Society president who called just to check in. I know because I got to see friends today that I haven't seen in a long while, and who I know care about me. I know because I have friends that see not only my potential, but my current abilities, and remind me of them when I forget. I know because I have parents who love me too. And most powerfully, I know I am loved because in every talk and song and prayer today, His Spirit whispered to my Spirit, "I love you." I felt it, and I know it.

A few of my favorite things...

about Springtime!

Ok, so, being in Utah, I'm sure the last few days have been just a sneak peek, but, it has put me in a splendid mood, and made me think about all of my favorite things about Springtime! So, in no particular order, here they are.

~ green! - The brown disappears, and the green returns. Glorious day!
~ sunshine
~ flowers
~ warm breezes
~ fresh air
~ pastel colors
~ baby animals~
~ miniature Reese's in pastel wrappers - 4 colors to choose from.
~ soft grass
~ Easter
~ General Conference
~ short sleeves
~ walks
~ bike rides
~ driving with the windows down
~ open windows
~ Spring Break
~ road trips
~ giggling, running children playing outside
~ the Draper Temple dedication

Everything's Amazing, Nobody's Happy

Wow. So, I saw this video via my friend's facebook page, via his friend sharing it with him, and their friend sharing it, etc.

I don't know about you, but, I had a lot to learn from this clip. I could be a little more patient, and a lot more grateful for the absolutely amazing world we live in.

Enjoy!