Be of Good Comfort, Thy Faith Hath Made Thee Whole

Lately, I've really been struggling with faith and optimism when things aren't looking so great in my limited view of life (or, my life).

I could never, ever, deny that the church, or the gospel of Jesus Christ is true. Never. I know it is. But, maintaining that peaceful gospel perspective and finding the JOY in today when illnesses, tragedy and unfulfilled righteous hopes/dreams are staring me in the face does not come easy to me.

This past Sunday a good friend suggested that I choose a scripture and memorize it as I study all about it during the week. I took that challenge and found 2. Almost have them memorized...

1. Luke 8:48: "And he said unto her, Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace." That is the Savior talking to the woman he just healed. But, I love how he 1. Calls her Daughter; 2. Tells her to be of good comfort (what I seek most); 3. Tells her that her own faith healed her; 4. and to go in Peace (also something I desire). I want to have the faith that this woman does!

2. Doctrine & Covenants 98:1  "Verily I say unto you my friends, fear not, let your hearts be comforted; yea, rejoice evermore, and in everything give thanks". This is Joseph Smith writing to the Saints who are being sorely persecuted. Again, I love how 1. he calls them friends; 2. Tells them to fear not (something I wish I didn't have in my life either); 3. hearts be comforted (what I want!!) 4. to rejoice (have JOY... also what I want to have ALL the time in my life... to feel truly Joyful!) and 5. To Give Thanks (This is something I don't do nearly enough... even if I could just express gratitude for every negative thought.complaint would be a milestone for me!

It's so easy to get down and forget all the GOOD things and all the blessings I do have in my life! Tonight I was around someone who was totally down on her luck in life and almost every comment that came from her was negative. I found it getting me down and wanted to change the subject. But, afterwards I thought about this. And, how much of a difference and optimistic attitude makes on your own life as well as those you surround. And, I challenged myself to be purely optimistic... esp when interacting with someone else. I think it will help my own faith and gospel perspective, as well as those around me.

THEN, to top it off, I was browsing lds.org tonight and came across this video by Elder Nelson:

Men's Hearts Shall Fail Them

What a profound message. No doubt, I would not have been as calm as he was. But, I want to get to that point and not be the screaming young woman. 

Earlier this week I ran across this quote and found it also in this video:

"If you have a faith, you can handle difficulties. Knowing that with an eternal perspective all will be well... Remember who you are and know your purpose... Don't demand things that are unreasonable, but demand of yourself improvement...Through the gospel of Jesus Christ, you can find strength in these tumultuous times."

 I had already printed out that quote to paste on my fridge so I can see it every day. And, now I have a very nice "mormon message" video to go with it. 

Be of good comfort

Thy Faith Hath Made Thee Whole

 

Monticello

I have always wanted to go to Monticello since moving to DC. However, it's about a 2.5 hour drive, so doing it on a Saturday when I am also trying to run errands, etc., just never sounds ideal.

Well, I had some time this week and wanted to stay as far away from the stores on Friday as possible! The weather was ideal! So, off I went. 

I actually got there in 2 hours :) It was busy, but I was able to get a ticket for the house tour about 45 minutes after I arrived. I didn't realize Monticello is located at the top of a "mountain" (large hill, really) and the views were incredible! Especially since the leaves on the trees were mostly gone. And, again, it was BEAUTIFUL out. I wished I had brought a book to read and a blanket!

But, back to the tour. It was very informative and well-done. I didn't know that Thomas Jefferson is considered one of the father's of modern architecture! He was very inventive with a lot of the things he did because he hated to waste time and space. The house was beautiful and I admire the way he ran it. He loved having all of his kids and grandkids there. He had a large garden. He loved books and emphasized education in his family. He also succeeded in doing a lot for our country as well. He must have been one busy man, but he was efficient!

The front of the house

A picture of some of his gardens

The back of the house

A compass he built... or something, 

but the views were awesome!

I could have spent the whole day there. But, I also wanted to just drive around the countryside a bit and go for a walk along some of the trails. I also visited James Madison's house, but didn't get an official tour. And, then drove through the University of Virginia's campus! It's beautiful as well... and I found out on my tour that it was started by Thomas Jefferson! It's got quite a history!

I am so glad I went. One more item checked off of my DC bucket list!

"Blessings"

After a particularly rough and discouraging afternoon/evening, I came home and turned on my ipod to my "Sunday music selection" knowing that I needed to hear an uplifting message... and hopefully helping my mood.

I wasn't disappointed.

Almost immediately, the following song came on. It caught me. (click title to watch video)

"Blessings" by Laura Story

We pray for blessings
We pray for peace
Comfort for family, protection while we sleep
We pray for healing, for prosperity
We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering
All the while, You hear each spoken need
Yet love us way too much to give us lesser things

'Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near
What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise

We pray for wisdom
Your voice to hear
And we cry in anger when we cannot feel You near
We doubt Your goodness, we doubt Your love
As if every promise from Your Word is not enough
All the while, You hear each desperate plea
And long that we'd have faith to believe

'Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near
And what if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise

When friends betray us
When darkness seems to win
We know that pain reminds this heart
That this is not, this is not our home
It's not our home

'Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
And what if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near
What if my greatest disappointments
Or the aching of this life
Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can’t satisfy
And what if trials of this life
The rain, the storms, the hardest nights
Are Your mercies in disguise

I can just imagine Heavenly Father longing for me to revert back to my faith (that is so lacking right now) that there is a "larger picture" than what I can see right now, that He really does love us to "give us lesser things", and that the aching in this life will lead me to remember "a greater thirst this world can't satisfy."

Patience and Faith when times get rough are the hardest for me. But, just the fact that I have songs with such a powerful reminder is a "mercy in disguise" for me.  

"Did I do that?"

Ok - I am not one to debate politics... and everyone has their issues with just about every candidate. But, that being said, I am not a huge fan of our current President.

A friend posted this on facebook and I just got a hearty laugh from it! Having grown up watching Family Matters religiously after Full House on Friday nights, I thought this picture was hilarious. Whatever happened to Erkel?  I miss the T.G.I.F lineup. Boy Meets World was hilarious as well.

Live... "Like There's No Tomorrow"

Live... "Like There's No Tomorrow"

 Last night I went to see this year's Warren Miler film. I got home way, way, way past my bedtime for a weeknight, but it was TOTALLY worth it! Not only were the scenes and skiers/boarders in this film AMAZING, but the music and overall message were good too!

I saw a couple of these films when I lived in UT and maybe one or two in Boston. This is their 62nd year making one and there's only one place in the entire tri-state area that shows it... on one night only....And, that cinema just happens to be less than 5 min from me! Had to take advantage and I went with a friend who has a similar passion (although he probably has the skills to back it up... whereas I don't!)

Anyway, below are some pictures from the film. They had clips from resorts all around the world, including one from New Zealand. I totally want to go there! Also, in the brochure they give out, there is a full page picture of the Salt Lake Temple amongst advertisements of resorts in SL. 

However, I took away more from this film than just excitement for fresh powder. The following are some of the things I learned... and felt related to my life, or life in general!

1. I noticed how each skier spotlighted in this film had a PASSION for what they did and life in general. They lived for the opportunity to be in nature and test their skills... to the extreme. But, each day was a new day. The past was behind them and they just looked forward to what was in front of them. 

2. They didn't sit around waiting for the perfect ski conditions to get out there. They just made sure they were prepared for the elements and went for it!

3. They didn't say... Oh - tomorrow I'll ski. Or put off for a day what they could do today. 

4 They relied on at least one other to go skiing with. They knew they couldn't go alone and they all supported and encouraged one another.

5. They lived with NO REGRETS and took advantage of everything they could. 

6. They were HAPPY! They love what they do and could care less what anyone else thought of them. I thought it was so funny that many of the skiers knew in high school or college that they just COULD NOT have a desk job. I wanted to stand up and clap when I heard that because that is ME! For a while now I've struggled with what to do with my life. I can't sit behind a desk all day... but extreme skiing is not really where I think I should go! But, it was so nice to hear someone verbalize that it's OK to not want to sit behind a desk all day in order to be a productive member of society and enjoy life!

7. One skier said: "I don't know if there is anywhere in the world better to be, than to be here right now." Awesome! I wish I could say that more often than not... even if it's just here in VA or DC. Just enjoying where I am in the moment no matter where that is!

Overall, I could relate each one of these points to my own life. Being HAPPY no matter what the circumstances are. Being content with where I am right now, but willing to push myself... even if just a little bit. Living with no regrets... no more "if" I had done this or that. Relying on others for help and support is OK... we're not meant to face this world and its challenges alone. Not procrastinating what I can accomplish today.... and finally - HAVE PASSION for all that I do!

LIVE LIKE THERE IS NO TOMORROW

"The key to life is living like there's no tomorrow. 

If you're sitting on the couch you're obviously 

not riding some powder, 

so maybe you should get off the couch and go ride!"

What a great message. What a great movie.

Now I just need some sleep :)

Forget-Me-Not

I was reminded of this talk today at a time I needed the reminder...

Forget-Me-Not

1. Forget not the WHY of the gospel
"The gospel of Jesus Christ is not an obligation; it is a pathway, marked by our loving Father in Heaven, leading to happiness and peace in this life and glory and inexpressible fulfillment in the life to come. The gospel is a light that penetrates mortality and illuminates the way before us."


2. Forget not that the Lord loves you

You are NOT forgotten by Him

"Just think of it: You are known and remembered by the most majestic, powerful, and glorious Being in the universe! You are loved by the King of infinite space and everlasting time!...You are destined for more than you can possibly imagine." 
 
3. Forget not to be happy NOW
"There is nothing wrong with righteous yearnings—we hope and seek after things that are “virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy.” The problem comes when we put our happiness on hold as we wait for some future event—our golden ticket—to appear....

The tragedy... is that... we fail to notice the blessings we have....The lesson here is that if we spend our days waiting for fabulous roses, we could miss the beauty and wonder of the tiny forget-me-nots that are all around us.

"The happiest people I know are not those who find their golden ticket; they are those who, while in pursuit of worthy goals, discover and treasure the beauty and sweetness of the everyday moments. They are the ones who, thread by daily thread, weave a tapestry of gratitude and wonder throughout their lives. These are they who are truly happy."


I just wish it was easier to always remember these truths, especially when doubt and trials abound! But, such a beautiful flower and such a beautiful message.