5/17//

Ward conference this sunday, and the bishop felt it necessary to remind us to do our daily prayer + scripture study. I was in the mother's room nursing, and was just thinking about how much a bishop loves his congregation. I've felt so much love and revelation from each bishop I've had, and I am so grateful for that.

Jeremy took Scarlett for the third hour, so I took notes in Relief Society... imagine that! Our stake RS president start us off with a quote from Sister Julie B. Beck, "the ability to qualify for, receive, act on personal revelation is the single most important skill that can be acquired in this life." She asked us, like we were asked by Elder Klebingat in General Conference, how would you feel if you had an interview with the savior in one minute? Immediately, I thought... oh no! This is not a good time... But I'm relieved that I was reminded that Christ would take us as imperfect as we are, and love us and advocate for us anyway. I need Him, in my most struggling times, I need Him!

Approaching the Throne of God with Confidence:
1. Take responsibility for you own spiritual well being. It truly isn't anyone else's responsibility or fault.

2. Take responsibility for your physical well being. Our body is the vessel God gave us to house our spirits. President Hansen from our stake presidency added that President Packer had said, "the word of wisdom is the key to personal revelation".

3. Embrace voluntary, whole-heart obedience as part of your life. You cannot love God if you don't love His commandments. Our visiting teaching messages this year are focused on the attributes of Christ, and the first attribute in January was obedience. Christ truly did everything that his Father ask of him. Personally, how can I not give in and fulfill my callings? I loved this quote by Sister Beck (again) that was shared, "through relief society and visiting teaching, we practice being disciples of Christ. We learn what He would have us learn, we do what what He would have us do, and we become what He would have us become."

4. Repent thoroughly and quickly. Embrace the atonement, do it daily, make it a lifestyle choice. From President Ezra Taft Benson, "The Lord works from the inside out. The world works from the outside in. The world would take the people out of the slums. Christ takes the slums out of the people, and then they take themselves out of the slums. The world would mold men by changing their environment. The world would shape human behavior, but Christ can change human nature... Yes, Christ changes men, and changed men can change the world."

5. Forgive. As quickly as you'd seek grace, give it. Don't hold grudges, don't bear ill feelings. The Savior seeks the mend our hearts + heal our souls, His grace is sufficient.

6. Accept trials, setbacks, surprises as part of your mortal experience. Partner with Christ to endure to the end; choose to place Him in the center of your life. Follow His teachings, walk in His footsteps.

President Hansen closed by suggesting we be tenacious in inviting the spirit of Heavenly Father into our homes. 

Boy, was I spiritually fed. It seems that I always am when I'm having a hard week. I feel rejuvenated and inspired to: make it a routine to shower + read 10 verses every night, prepare family home evening every.week, somehow squeeze exercising into the whole deal, go to Heavenly Father when times are hard (not just when they are really really really hard), forgive and apologize too, and trust in the Lord. Come what may!!

Also, our opening song was "As sisters in Zion" I love the second verse: the errand of angels is given to women; and this is a gift that, as sisters, we claim: to do whatsoever is gentle and human, to cheer and to bless in humanity's name.

Hope you had a wonderful Sabbath!
xo