9 to 5

Remember how I knew I'd get a miracle even when I wasn't sure how the miracle would come?

Once upon a time, I needed a car. I wanted a car that had 4 doors and a sunroof. And I only had $5500 to spend.

So I gave my list to Heavenly Father and you know what? I got EXACTLY what I prayed for.

EXACTLY.


My former roommate, Katesta, reminded me of this when she used our praying experience from the yellow/red brick house move to help her find a new apartment. We had some very specific criteria for the new place we were moving all those years ago. There were 5 of us and we wanted to all room together. We wanted to pay less rent, live closer to campus and stay in our same ward.

And you know what? We got EXACTLY what we prayed for.

EXACTLY.

So. I tried it again. And I was RIGHT! I got my miracle.

EXACTLY.

And boy am I glad! I started my new job today! And it is WONDERFUL!!!!

My favorite scripture - well you know me and favorites - but still My favorite scripture:

"And now behold, Ammon, and Aaron, and Omner, and Himni, and their brethren did rejoice exceedingly, for the success which they had had among the Lamanites, seeing that the Lord had granted unto them according to their prayers, and that he had also verified his word unto them IN EVERY PARTICULAR." (Alma 25:17)

Ammon and his brethren prayed a lot of prayers. But they were answered in every particular.

When we pray specifically and get specific answers, we MUST give thanks to Heavenly Father.
Well, I suppose we don't have to, but if we don't when it is SO easy to give credit where credit is due... not maybe the best choice.

I know that Heavenly Father wants to bless us.

He wants us to know that He loves us.

And that doesn't change even when we haven't yet gotten the blessings we think are best for us.

Like Sister Johnson always said, "Thanks for the next. I'm sure of this." can not be our attitude if we want to give credit where credit is due.

So I say, Thank You for now. Right now today.


It was a glorious first day of work. The hospital where I got a job is three miles from my home, I already knew one of the ladies I work with and she is fantastic, I was offered more money with this job than any of the others I was offered and it's EXACTLY the kind of work I hoped for.

And the way I got this job that was NEVER POSTED?

A miracle.

First, this lovely woman was called to be the General Relief Society President.
(Isn't that 55 cent dress phenomenal?)

Then, she called this lovely woman to work on the General Board.

Then she became the General Relief Society President too.

I love the Relief Society.

Then there was the miracle of our becoming friends.


Then the College of Social Work had a commemorative birthday party for
Sister Spafford (because you're right, Maria) and Sister Jack took me with her to the party.

While at the party, I talked to the Dean of the College of Social Work who knew there would be a job opening at the hospital.

I called about it and two weeks later, I got the job.
The job that really wasn't and certainly wasn't posted.

And that came JUST in the nick of time

It is definitely my job.

It is an absolute miracle.

So Grateful. So Happy.

Just Because I'm a Woman

Last Saturday was filled with my favorite women!
And at least one miracle occurred!

My dear, dear friend, Linda Johnson, came to Salt Lake City!

She and 4 of her friends from Seattle came down to Wendover and then took a little roadtrip so they could visit Temple Square!
So So Happy!!! All-Week-Long-Waiting-For-Them-To-Come-Happy!

Linda has been my dear friend since I moved up to Seattle.
She is one of the kindest, sweetest, most faithful and thoughtful people I have ever known.

I miss walking around Green Lake with her!

(Isn't that a phenomenal picture? I took that! It's so watercolory! I love it!!!)

I have lots of angels in my home that remind me of her.


Last Saturday we got together on Temple Square and unfortunately, because of Relief Society Conference, the Conference Center and the RS building were closed. But we spent time looking at the Temple, walking around the gorgeous grounds, touring the Joseph Smith Building where we ate Fried Pickles! (they are so good!),

peeking in the Tabernacle and hearing a pin drop, finding Linda's friend's lost eyeglasses (what an answer to prayer and thank you sister missionaries!), and touring the North Visitor's Center where we walked up into heaven and heard the Christus statue talk to us.


It was absolutely blissful.

I love talking about the Church.
I love thinking about the Gospel and explaining how perfect it is.
I love talking to other people about their beliefs and connecting on common ground.
I love the Gospel.
I love the Church!
I love looking at the statues of Joseph and Hyrum and thinking of all they sacrificed for us.
I love thinking about the blessings that I have in my life because of their lives.

(This pic and the Christus are not ones I took...)

I love looking at the statues of John the Baptist and Peter, James and John and knowing that they really did return to the earth and restore the Priesthood.
I love looking at the Temple.
I loved talking about the Angel Moroni and explaining that Moroni was a man who had a father named Mormon. Mormon reviewed the records kept by all the ancient prophets and gave us the "Readers Digest version" known as the Book of Mormon.
How fantastic!
How perfect!

My happiness didn't end there last Saturday!
It was the Relief Society Meeting!

(Hahaha!
This is my best effort at a pic of Sister Beck, Sister Allred and Sister Dalton!)

Oh that day is so happy for me
(as previously noted in the Sister Beck post).
But this time it was happy too because of all the
friends that came with me!
I think Baley deserves her own post because
she is so incredibly happy!

I mean, how happy is that face?

My friends Katesta, Karen and Charlene also came to
Relief Society Conference.

Karen always "keep[s] it real smooth!" Love her!!!

We had the best seats in the World!
We were like 4 rows from the front!
(Well, from the front section that's all cordoned off for the VIP's.)


So, it was a miracle that Linda Johnson came to Temple Square.
And it was a miracle that we got to be so close at the RS Meeting.
So close that I got to talk to Sister Beck before the meeting and give her her birthday card. :)

Don't you just love favorite people?

Then... I learned a good lesson.
When you go to the parking garage and you're on the BYU Women's Conference Committee maybe don't act like Marilyn Monroe in front of the GINORMOUS fan.


(So fierce.)

Because someone else on the committee is sure to see you.

But Baley is adorable!

(Darn that we're not better in focus!)
Oh well -
everyone got a good laugh at committee meeting last Friday.

Linda Johnson, Temple Square, Baley and Relief Society Conference make me OH SO Happy!

Eagle When She Flies

Happy, Happy Birthday (although a little belated on Sept 29th) Sister Beck, Dear!

Happy days will come to you all year!

If I had a wish, then it would be,
A Happy, Happy Birthday to you from me!

You may have notice that I love Sister Beck. And lists.
So here's a list of some of my favorite Sister Beck quotes!

"It is time for Relief Society to fulfill its purpose as never before."


"Just as the Savior invited Mary and Martha of New Testament times to participate in His work, women of this dispensation have an official commission to participate in the Lord’s work."



"We know through the Prophet Joseph Smith that Relief Society was a formal part of the Restoration and that a similar organization for women existed in the Church anciently. (awesome!!!) The Prophet Joseph taught that Relief Society was “divinely made, divinely authorized, divinely instituted, divinely ordained of God,” “according to the law of heaven” to help the Lord “bring to pass the . . . eternal life of man.”


"The purpose of Relief Society as established by the Lord, is to organize, teach, and inspire His daughters to prepare them for the blessings of eternal life."


"Early pioneer women were driven from homes and persecuted because of their faith. Others survived fires and floods. They crossed oceans and walked thousands of miles, tolerating dirt, illness, and near starvation to help build the Lord’s kingdom on the earth. Many of them buried husbands, children, parents, and siblings along the way. Why did they do this? They did it because the fire of their faith burned in their souls. These remarkable women were not seeking fine clothing, greater leisure, large earthly mansions, or more possessions. Like you, they had a conviction and a testimony that the restored gospel of Jesus Christ was true and that the Lord needed them to do their part in establishing His kingdom on the earth. Their pursuit of personal righteousness was a daily effort to become more like the Savior through repentance, scripture study, prayer, obedience to commandments, and through seeking after everything “virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy.”


"...whether we are married or single, old or young, we have a duty to defend and practice the truths found in “The Family: A Proclamation to the World.”


"Children being born now are growing up in an increasingly sinful world. Our homes are to be their refuge from the daily encounters they have with evil. Relief Society should be organized, aligned, and mobilized to strengthen families and help our homes to be sacred sanctuaries from the world."


“If I never come back, if you never see me again, if I’m never able to teach you another thing, you tie yourself to Relief Society. Relief Society will be your mother.”


"When we serve in another auxiliary we are not released from the sisterhood of Relief Society. Because we do not go in or out of Relief Society, we are always connected to the purpose and responsibilities of Relief Society and are blessed by all opportunities to be examples and faith-filled shepherds to our Father’s children."


"Without personal revelation, we cannot succeed. If we heed personal revelation, we cannot fail."

"It was prophesied that in the latter days the Lord would pour out His Spirit upon His handmaids. This will happen as we allow ourselves to be still enough and quiet enough to listen to the voice of the Spirit... Most of all, revelation requires us to have a sufficient degree of personal righteousness, so that on occasion revelation may come to the righteous, unsolicited."


"The real power in this great worldwide sisterhood lies within each woman. Though we may see ourselves as weak and simple, we all share a noble heritage and can develop a faith that is equal to that of remarkable, faithful women who have gone before us."


"We have a vital role to play in helping build the kingdom of God and preparing for the Lord’s coming. In fact, the Lord cannot accomplish His work without the help of His daughters. Because of that, the Lord expects us to increase our offering. He expects us to fulfill the purpose of Relief Society as never before."

Wow. All that just from her talk last Saturday
(about which there is so much happiness to blog!!!).
There are so many great Sister Beck quotes, I may have to add a favorite daily quote box!

She is remarkable.

I could go on and on about how grateful I am that she is our leader at this time.
She has refocused us away from ourselves and onto the Lord where we can find
Ultimate Hope and Purpose and Joy.

She is leading us FULL-SPEED-AHEAD to ready ourselves and the world for the Savior to come again and I am thrilled to walk in step with her to do whatever I can to strengthen my little corner of the fort.

Aren't We Blessed?!

Last night at a book club I attended, one of the girls started talking about the controversy from last year over Sister Beck's talk. All 10 of us (single girls without children) couldn't understand why or how anyone could take offense at her loving words. We each and all fully support her. Then, now and always.

Sister Barbara B. Smith gave a talk called Season for Strength.
Sister Beck certainly has shown that she is equal to the task of the season in which she finds herself serving.
I know the Lord is her strength and we can add strength by supporting her and praying for her.

So today, let's celebrate her. Happy Birthday Sister Beck.

Sister Beck makes me SO Happy!

Just Dew It

No - not Mountain.

Sheri!

Yesterday, while getting ready for the day, I decided to listen to a Women's Conference talk. The truth is, I just didn't want to listen to another 80's lunch rewind or whatever (yes I was getting ready during the lunch hour). So, in the spirit of trying to be prepared to contribute something to my upcoming assignment, I flipped on this year's BYU Women's Conference and decided against watching Sister Beck's talk again, although that was a hard decision because, boy oh boy, (good expression incidently) is that talk good. Instead I chose Sheri Dew. She's always a crowd pleaser for sure, as well as inspirational, motivational and spiritual.

(The Relief Society Building - yes, there's a building for Relief Society! Directly east of the Temple. :))
(And yes, I took all the pics in this blog - except the ones of me and the one of Sister Dew.)

And this talk did not disappoint. In fact, I've been thinking about it for most of the day and I'm
really feeling like some action is in order.

So I thought I'd share.

The theme of the Conference this year was "Awake, Arise and Come Unto Him" taken from Moroni 10:30-32. Sister Dew talked about how dewing those 3 things will ensure we have the righteous influence Heavenly Father has blessed us with and expects of us in the circles in which we find ourselves.

Sister Dew said, "Influence is not about elevating self, but lifting others."

She also said that "influence to lift others comes as we come unto Christ. To come unto Christ means walking away from the world. And walking away from the world means choosing holiness and purity over worldliness and impurity.
Our Father wants us back, and He wants us back clean."

Isn't that excellent?

She said, "We may not be the first generation of sisters to be influenced by the world but we need to be the last. We’ve got to be the last. The apostle Paul said it best. “It is high time to awake out of sleep… The night is far spent, the day is at hand; therefore, let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light” (Romans 13:11-12).

"If it’s any consolation we’re not the first generation to struggle with this. In 1873, Eliza R. Snow said this to the Relief Society. 'I have thought how necessary for the Saints of the living God to be more of a distinct people than they already are… to be as different from the rest of the world as our privileges are more exalted—we should be a shining light to the nations of the earth. But I often say to myself, are we what we should be?'

We're certainly not the first generation to be influenced by the world but we must be the last.

(In fact, there are so many good quotes from that talk - that'll have to be a new happy little "element" of my blog.)
(Speaking of happy and little - remember Bob Ross? The happy painter? Happy little clouds, happy little trees... I may have to do an 'ode to Bob Ross post'.
Catheryn seriously loved him.)

You know -- I think there is just too much world in my world. I realized it especially when she read again this quote from President Spencer W. Kimball.

"My dear sisters, may I suggest to you something that has not been said before or at least in quite this way. Much of the major growth that is coming to the Church in the last days will come because many of the good women of the world (in whom there is often such an inner sense of spirituality) will be drawn to the Church in large numbers. This will happen to the degree that the women of the Church reflect righteousness and articulateness in their lives and to the degree that the women of the Church are seen as distinct and different
—in happy ways—
from the women of the world."

Isn't it wonderful that President Kimball say "distinct and different in HAPPY ways"?!!! That alone made me So Happy!

But what are those ways?

I mean - he's talking about drawing "the good women of the world (in whom there is often such an inner sense of spirituality") to the Church.

How are we different in happy ways from such good, spiritual women? Are we?

Rather -- am I?

Sister Dew continued, "It has been 3 decades since that call to action... Are we ever going to do more than just quote President Kimball? We have the gift of the Holy Ghost. A living Prophet. Spiritual gifts. Access to Priesthood power. Ordinances that endow us with knowledge and power. Unique leadership training and the Gospel of Jesus Christ in its fullness. We should be far more distinctive than even the very finest women in the world. Are we? In our everyday lives do we talk of Christ, rejoice in Christ, preach of Christ and testify of him?
Are we women on a mission to build his kingdom? …Are we the women God needs us to be in the latter part of the Latter-days?"

No wonder they want us to study For the Strength of Youth (as Sister Beck emphasizes it). It is the guide by which we can measure just how far the world has moved away from the Gospel and if we are drifting too or holding fast to the Iron Rod.

"Sisters it is high time for us to arise and have the influence that God intended us to have. It is high time for us to lead the women of the world. It’s high time for us to model the distinctiveness and happiness that sets true followers of Jesus Christ apart."

So, the world in my world, and distinct and different in happy way #1.

A good chunk of the world flows right into my living room through the ol'boob tube.

So - today, I unplugged it.

Yep - I'm gonna see if I can just go a week without watching it.

(Or at least make it more difficult so that if I really do need to see something I'll have to make an effort to watch it - you know - a conscious choice instead of just falling back into that comfort zone of nothingness. Watching movies with friends doesn't count, right?)

I mean really - how important are the Kardashian's? Or knowing what's happening on The View? Or having Oprah tell me how to live my best life? I'm pretty sure I know how and it didn't come from listening to the Big O. (Sister Dew said she heard someone quote a talk show host in Relief Society the other day. Then she said, "Come on! Surely we haven't become so numb that we would endorse an openly immoral celebrity in the Lord's organization for women.")

But occasionally I get lulled and think all that nonsense matters.
So I'm grateful that Sister Dew has provided me a wake up call in the form of her talk.

She said, "If we truly want to walk away from the world, our single most important pursuit is
to seek to hear the voice of the Spirit."

She also suggested we think of our life as a ministry (which Sister Parkin suggested here too). Not just church callings or taking care of our regular activities but thinking what can I do to really minister to others.

"I’m not talking about doing more although it may mean doing things differently. I am talking about focus and perhaps further consecration. Making of your life a ministry means consciously asking yourself in regular everyday situations, “Why has the Lord brought me here today?” and then looking for ways to build up people and the kingdom. It means asking the Lord what He needs you to do… Ministering might mean… starting a blog to share what you believe online. (Awesome!) (She didn't say awesome by the way.) It is our stewardship, after all, to pass along the legacy of what it means to be a woman of God to the next generation… We’re the ones who need to define Latter-day Saint Womanhood. Not anyone else. This means speaking up and reaching out. It means seeking to have influence in as many ways and with as many people as possible. Those who think of life as a ministry tend to be less lonely, less likely to feel that life has spun out of control, more inclined to have a gentle heart, more filled with purpose."

She quoted the scripture - "For even the Son of Man came to minister not to be ministered unto" (Mark 10:45) and I find myself thinking, "But of course! He was the Savior! He had to know He was here to serve others and get His comfort from His Father
- the God of all comfort (one of my new favorite scriptures) -
with whom He was totally in tune.

The only thing that's different between Him and me however - besides the absolutely obvious many things - is me.
Heavenly Father would bless me with the same comfort. The same peace. The same opportunity to serve in my circle if I would do the same things as Jesus did while He was away from His Father the same as I am now.
We have the same commandments and the same promises.
(How miraculous is that?!).

Except - it's all made possible for me through Jesus Christ.

So it's almost even more incumbent on me to follow Him - since He gave me the example - perfectly - and provided the way for me to get back on the path - lovingly and miraculously mercifully.

I'm kind-of overwhelmed by it all this morning.

Sister Beck said, "There is eternal power and influence in motherhood."
So true.

Sister Dew believes it too.

"What is our potential influence as we and our sisters across the earth rally together for the cause of Jesus Christ? Will you consider the collective power of one? What if every woman in Relief Society living near a Temple went to the Temple just one extra time this year. How much more revelation would flow into the homes of the church? Or – what if we each did one thing this month, just one, to improve our ability to hear the voice of the Spirit? Or – one thing to become more pure? Or – tuned out one talk show and studied scriptures instead… Or – went to cheer on one Laurel we’re not related to. Have you noticed how many times I have said or? What is one thing you could do and would be willing to do? Or – and here’s the big question – what if every sister in Relief Society looked and prayed for one just one opportunity to share the Gospel this year? ...Now does this seem just outrageous? Or is it exactly what President Kimball foresaw; that we, we would be a significant force in both the numerical and spiritual growth of the Church in the last days. I believe it. And I believe it’s high time we make it happen. I’m going to try. Will you?"

Yes, Sister Dew! YES!

"Elder Jeffrey R. Holland said this, 'Something is going to be asked of this dispensation that’s never been asked before. We must be ready to present the Church of the Lamb, to the Lamb, and when that happens, we must be looking and acting like His Church.' This may seem impossible but… with the Lord’s help and our best effort we will prevail…

Our Father sent us now precisely because He knew we would not stop until we got the job done. We are followers of Jesus Christ and we have been his followers and loved Him for a long, long time. Nothing is more important than working and sacrificing and enduring for Him. Let us be the generation of women that, finally, walks away from the world. If we will awake, arise and come unto Christ we will have a degree of influence…that has no limit and no end.

We can do this. I know we can."

That's because the women of the Church have the ability to be different and distinct in happy ways from the women of the world because we have the Gift of the Holy Ghost! And when we follow His promptings (acting quickly to follow every inspiration that is honorable and right) - whether we are mothering our own children or another's (including perhaps someone who may have children older than we are (aka old lady friends)) - we can have influence.

I could go on and on and on. Surprised?

I'll step down from my soapbox for today... but not for long. :)
What are you dewing to avoid worldly influence?
How dew you righteously minister to and influence others?
What are we dewing to prepare the Church of the Lamb to present to the Lamb when He comes?
I'm not saying you aren't, I'm saying you are -- please tell me how!

(And, seriously, if you're still reading at this point, leave me a comment. You get a prize. Just tell me you saw this. :))

Sister Dew quoting President Monson said -
"We cannot escape the influence our lives have upon the lives of others."

She's right - I mean it's one way or the other - not in between.
But we can certainly choose the things by which we will be influenced.

And how grateful I feel for those righteous women who have had influence on my life.

And so many more... Boy, do I love those ladies.

So I'm going to Just Dew It.

And a new resolve to try harder, the Gift of the Holy Ghost and the Promise of the Atonement make me So Happy.