Friends-
Before we look at last week, here is a picture of the savior that I saw a few weeks ago. I can't really look at it without wanting to reach up and touch his hand. How many of you have felt this way, like you were drowning in sorrow, or stress, or grief, or weakness, and felt the Savior's pure love for you? What a beautiful thing. We are so blessed with this knowledge that He is there for us all the time, no matter what.
When I did the Fit for the Kingdom challenge in 2011, one of my FAVORITE mystery challenges was the "Be someone's angel" challenge and yet again, so many wonderful acts of service and love were shared. It's fun to read these on our week of focusing on the Savior, because we are being his hands, we are being like him and sharing our testimonies of him when we bless the lives of others. I love how different everyone's experiences were! And I really appreciate the thoughts and experiences you shared on meditation and your ah ha moments. THANK YOU FOR SHARING!!! This is so special to do this with you! Sorry I didn't email yesterday. I hope you are reading and learning about the Savior and preparing for Easter and general conference. What a great combo.
Here are your thoughts!
Week 8 Ah ha moments_
Sarah, Thank you for this opportunity to reflect on what is best, even though many things I do, can be good or better, my true focus needs to be best. I notice that some weeks are harder than others, but wanting the Holy Ghost to always be with me, requires the daily efforts of this "challenge". Thank you on so many levels!
- Cindy Sorenson
- Cindy Sorenson
My second daughter, Katie, currently resides in Heaven. A few years ago prior to conference, I'd had some very bad mommy moments (and my oldest daughter continued to remind me of my bad behavior). Anyway, as I prepared for conference and even though I was feeling lousy about my week, I vowed to listen to the talks, but to also listen to the spirit in my behalf. Many insights came my way, but the one that meant the most to me was this thought that came so clearly to my mind, "Janet, Katie loves you!" This daughter died and will inherit the Celestial Kingdom. She already passed the test of this life. She must be one amazing souls and she loved me?!! It brought tears to my eyes. I knew she could "see" my imperfections more than anyone and yet she loved me anyway. It reminded me of the love the Savior has for me. He loves me (us) no matter what!!- Janet Seto
Thoughts on Meditation
I did not so well with the meditation challenge. My mind wandered and then I would fall asleep. I will keep trying.- Hillarie Miller
I received a helpful idea for the final Tree of Life project. I was meditating, or maybe more accurately, pondering about certain important things. I consider the idea inspiration. Mary Anne Koski
I enjoyed the three part series on the Mormon Channel about Christ-centered meditation. I listened to all three and enjoyed taking time to just clear my mind. I especially loved the second one that talked about giving our heart to the Savior so he can heal it. We have to take make the first step to be healed. He can invite but we must accept the invitation. Life's experiences just seem to take a toll on our hearts. He is the one who can make it whole again. I love the invitation in 3 Nephi 17:7 when the Savior asks if there is any "that are afflicted in any manner" to be brought to Him. I need to do more meditating. I have a hard time being still. However, I felt the benefit of doing it. –Lachell Hull
I tried once or twice, but found myself thinking too much! I tried to concentrate on the noise of the fan by me and that helped. I've never been good at meditating, but I learned a long time ago that I love quiet at times. This week I did drive around in quiet several times to just allow my ears a rest.- Jennie Blaser
So glad to be doing it again! When I was a school teacher, I would meditate about my class and invite the Savior to come in and interact with all the kids. It was amazing to see how he handled each and every one of them (so differently and individually). It made me a better teacher to treat them the way the Savior would. I hadn't done it in years though, and KNOW that there are benefits and enjoyed doing it this week! Janet Seto
What a blessing it was to meditate in the Salt Lake Temple Celestial Room. There is such great peace in the temple!- Sharilyn Wilson
It does help to draw in the peace and stillness and then the listening. It prepares the mind and heart to be more receptive to what the Lord wants us to hear.- Dan Brimhall
Experiences praying about and being an angel!
I had this seemingly small experience but I know it touched me and I think others too.
I shop for gas at a convenience store near my house all the time. One afternoon I went in and asked to use their restroom and both cashiers said someone had had an accident and they couldn't clean it. It bothered them both too much. I offered to try - they gave me gloves cleaner towels. I cleaned it. They were so thankful- one woman was just starting her shift and had been worried she would have to work all night with no facilities. I know it seems small and the act itself is minor. But the worry that was removed for her is big. And it took so little time and effort on my part. – Hillarie Miller
I shop for gas at a convenience store near my house all the time. One afternoon I went in and asked to use their restroom and both cashiers said someone had had an accident and they couldn't clean it. It bothered them both too much. I offered to try - they gave me gloves cleaner towels. I cleaned it. They were so thankful- one woman was just starting her shift and had been worried she would have to work all night with no facilities. I know it seems small and the act itself is minor. But the worry that was removed for her is big. And it took so little time and effort on my part. – Hillarie Miller
I loved this mystery challenge and prayed every day about it. Last Saturday night I took my mom and 2 daughters to the Women's broadcast. My mom is partial paralyzed and in constant pain so she really wanted to just stay home and watch it on tv. I knew she needed to get out so I pushed her to go. I thought we'd go to my stake center but at the last minute it worked out better to go to hers.
We were walking out after it was over and she ran into a friend from high school that she hasn't seen in 20 yrs! It was great for them to connect and get each other's phone numbers and cry together. – Jen Dille
We were walking out after it was over and she ran into a friend from high school that she hasn't seen in 20 yrs! It was great for them to connect and get each other's phone numbers and cry together. – Jen Dille
I like how you put it Sarah--it did feel nice to know I was at his "Beck and call." It helped me focus on others. On Thursday I did have a chance to do something that we'd all probably like to do more often. I was able to dial 911 for a friend who yelled from inside her home, "Call 911, I need help!" I had stopped at a woman's home for a weekly 10:00 a.m. visit to wrap her (swollen) legs. It was unusual for the door to be locked, and when I heard her call for help--after I knocked--I figured she had probably fallen. Because she is heavy, this would not be a good thing. Soon the police, ambulance and firemen arrived. There was some atypical static noise in the background. We could hear some of what she said, but not all. The policewoman suggested cutting off power to the house so they could hear her give the code to her lock box. They did this with success. After entering and getting her onto her feet, she was, as you can imagine most grateful. She had been incapacitated since midnight--that's ten hours! She made a point to stay awake since she knew I'd be there at ten. That had to be difficult in and of itself. She had prayed and prayed for a miracle, something she has experienced multiple times in her life, but God chose not to answer her in her most desired way. The female paramedic asked her to promise to always wear her GPS wrist band, which she did. It was cute when my friend asked the firemen if good looks was a requirement for their job, because every fireman she has ever seen was handsome. One of them said, “No, expertise first, then good looks.” I could see an opportunity here. Knowing she would hug them if she could (she was now settled in her recliner chair) I took the occasion to do it for her—three men and a woman. I got my cake and ate it too! Oh yes, the static sound was from the TV which had gone off at midnight. Mary Anne Koski
Within one hour after I read the email that gave the mystery challenge, I received a text from a neighbor who asked me to call her. So I called her. When she answered the phone I could tell she was really upset about something. (We live in a county island area in NE Mesa and we both have chickens. We have compared notes about chickens and both share this hobby.) She said that she could not find her three chickens but only found piles of feathers. She was so upset about this because they are like pets to her and her family. I totally understand because all of ours have names and my kids play with our chickens. I went over to her house and we searched her whole back and side yards. Unfortunately, an animal had gotten to them and they were still on the property. She was beside herself. I felt so sad for her. She wanted her husband to come home from work because she was so distraught. I told her I would help her clean up. We picked up the feather piles and the birds so her kids would not have to see them. We spent two hours together and I was grateful I was home that day to be an angel to my neighbor. (Originally I was supposed to be gone at that time helping my Grandma but my sister went to help her.) My neighbor is not of our faith and while we cleaned up we talked about other topics. She was so shocked that I would help her with such a unpleasant task. I was happy to be there for her. – Lachelle Hull
My experience was small, and probably not too angelic. I offered to go to the store for a friend who has two small kids at home. I just remember what a chore it was to load up kids and drive to the store and unload them and keep track of them for just a few things. I was already going to the store, so it's not like it was that much more work for me, but I hope it helped her day go more smoothly.- Jennie Blaser
I watched my daughter be someone's angel this weekend. Madison was in a state archery tournament and took 4th place in state. We were so excited for her because she was in the top three out of 33 from her school as well. However, the scores and placements were wonderful, but watching her help her opponent was amazing. The girl standing next to her wasn't doing too well. Madison kept putting her arms around her, giving her a thumbs up, and telling her that if her arrows are shooting over the target, she needed to lower her aiming point. Her opponent followed Madison's advice and started doing better. Again, the points she earned were amazing, but watching her be an Angel to someone else, was what really made my heart happy! Janet Seto
I don't know that I was necessarily someones angel but I did help people. Some I knew were sad and having a hard time others I don't know if they were having a hard time but they seemed to enjoy the checking in on them.- Dan Brimhall
Whenever I pray to find someone I can serve, that prayer is always, ALWAYS answered. The greatest JOY comes through giving and loving as Christ does...CHARITY. I always thank Him for trusting me to be His hands in those situations, because there are other people whom He could send, but He trusted me. I never want to let Him down, and I always feel empowered through the knowledge that He trusts me and is with me. Loved the sacred, heaven sent moments I had this week to grow charity.- Spring Thibaudeau
The MYSTERY challenge for this week is to SHARE YOUR TESTIMONY of JESUS CHRIST! There are many different ways to do this. It could be just a few words in casual conversation, or some words or a picture on Facebook or with your children. Pray to know how and when and what to say. The Spirit will be so happy to help you!!!
| YES! I love sharing my testimony. | 13 | 5.1% |
| Yes- I will do this but it's a little scary! | 5 | 2% |
| No. Just no. | 0 | 0% |
How did the meditating impact your week?
| Helped me find answers/guidance/peace | 4 | 1.6% |
| Helped me feel good because I forced myself to be still | 6 | 2.3% |
| Helped me feel close to Father in Heaven, the Savior, and the Holy Spirit. | 5 | 2% |
| Just one more thing to add to my huge "to do" list! | 0 | 0% |
| No real impact good or bad | 4 | 1.6% |
| Took extra time and effort but worth it | 11 | 4.3% |
| Didn't really try to meditate. | 3 | 1.2% |
Are you feeling like you want to continue meditating more now that you have tried it?
| YES! It needs to be part of my life. | 14 | 5.5% |
| NO! stillness is impossible for me to achieve | 0 | 0% |
| Not really, Stillness is overrated. | 0 | 0% |
| Not sure... Still thinking about it... | 4 | 1.6% |
Will you continue praying to be an instrument in the Lord's hands?
| YES! Lots of blessings to go around! | 18 | 7% |
| No- It's stressful to think about.. and do.. | 0 | 0% |
| Not really sure. | 0 | 0% |
Lots of love!
Sarah
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