Mercies in Disguise

So I was driving to the hospital on yesterday... And I was pretty certain I was going to finally... for real be going into labor... As I was driving heart racing with desperation this song came on the radio...

I sat there bawling as I listened. I thought this is my answer.... I finally have waited long enough. As I was walking in the hospital trying and praying my heart out to progress I felt like Heavenly Father was finally going to answer my prayers and help me not have to endure this anymore... and I got sent home. What is going on? I didn't feel frustrated I felt seriously heart broken. I was so sad... Which may seem so childish. .... I came home and tried my hardest to just take my mind away from what happened. Later that night I looked I listened to this song again and I felt very different than when in the car. I felt like I could do this... again... Heavenly Father may not take away our pain, sadness, heart aches... it may take thousands of sleepless nights, hundreds of tears, but I believe I am going to learn something so important through this hard time... maybe in years to come, but I willl understand one day. As the song says our trials are his mercies in disguise. I never thought of them in that way.  I am grateful I heard this today... It is one of the hundred things my Heavenly Father has given me through this hard time to let me know he is still here. I love you both!

Mamie

No Cussing???

Okay I was studying my scriptures and I came across the scripture that helped me decide to live my no cussing goal, and I would like to share...

So general conference or some kind of meeting when I was 11 or 12  years old we were sitting in the Webster building listening to President Gordon B. Hinckley give a talk. He was speaking and challenged us to do something different, to do something of our own free will, something we weren't commanded to do. He read this scripture...

D&C 58: 27-28

 27 Verily I say, men should be ^aanxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness;

 28 For the power is in them, wherein they are ^aagents unto themselves. And inasmuch as men do good they shall in nowise lose their ^breward. 

The rest of the day this talk kept coming back to me... I kept thinking what is something I can change in my life through my own free will that could maybe bring about something good. I thought for a while and I remember I started to watch and movie and of course a cuss word was said and I remember getting sick to my stomach from hearing it. I remember I couldn't stand the sound of  cuss words... I kept watching the movie and didn't turn it off or anything. I remember feeling like if those words bother me so much why oh earth am I choosing to listen to them. Then it came... I am not going to watch or listen to anymore cussing. This was what I was going to do of my own free will! I was so excited... until I started actually doing my goal! My excitement turned into a fight... I know I don't have to explain to either of you how hard it was for me. I felt embarrassed walking out of movies, afraid that I was going to make someone feel bad, angry that I got made fun of so bad, or completely in tears thinking that people I wanted to date wouldn't like me anymore or would stop being my friend all together. I think you can remember certain times. But now I don't regret this choice at all. I have not been perfect at it by any means. I have heard a couple since... but I have to say this choice has blessed my life in so many ways, and I feel has made me a better and stronger person...

Today I have decided to do something else... a new goal as well as my last one of my own free will to bring about something good... I have no idea what I am going to do yet. I also want to ask both of you if you wouldn't mind doing something as well, something of your own free will, something we aren't commanded to do? It doesn't have to be huge- it could be something so small that could become huge down the road to you or someone else. Let me know what you think. I love you both so much!!

Mamie

Joseph Smith Quotes

“Happiness is the object and design of our existence; and will be the end thereof, if we pursue the path that leads to it; and this path is virtue, uprightness, faithfulness, holiness, and keeping all the commandments of God.” 


“Whatever God requires is right, no matter what it is, although we may not see the reason there of until all of the events transpire.” 


“For he that diligently seeketh shall find; and the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto them, by the power of the Holy Ghost, as well in these times as in times of old as in times to come; wherefore, the course of the Lord is one eternal round" - 1 Nephi 10:19” 


“When God commands, do it! ” 


“We say that God is true; that the Constitution of the United States is true; that the Bible is true; and that the Book of Mormon is true, and that Christ is true” 

“The Lord did strengthen them that they could bear up their burdens with ease, and they did submit cheerfully and with patience to all the will of the Lord.” 

“God judges men according to the use they make of the light which He gives them.”

“Never give up an old tried friend, who has waded through all manner of toil, for your sake, and throw him away because fools may tell you he has some faults.” 

“Stand Fast Through the Storms of Life.

"You will have all kinds of trials to pass through. And it is quite as necessary for you to be tried as it was for Abraham and other men of God... God will feel after you, and He will take hold of you and wrench your very heart strings and if you cannot stand it you will not be fit for an inheritance in the Celestial kingdom of God" 

Opportunities to Do Good

It doesn't matter what color, who you are, what race, what people look like, what religion, or if we know them or not... there is always someone out there that needs help or something we can offer... I am so grateful I saw this today it opened my eyes more. I loved this video, I love that there are people in this world like the ones in the video. It gives a glimpse of how Christ is! Today I have a challenge if you have time... Through this next week find someone you don't know or just someone out of the ordinary and try to find a way to help or write a letter to someone not in the family but someone you feel could use a letter to help encourage them, lift them, just make there day or something like this.I would love to hear about what you did or who you wrote if you decide to do it! I love you both.
Mamie

HE LIVES

D&C 76: 22-24


 22 And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the ^atestimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he ^blives!

 23 For we ^asaw him, even on the ^bright hand of ^cGod; and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only ^dBegotten of the Father— 

24 That by ^ahim, and through him, and of him, the ^bworlds are and were created, and the ^cinhabitants thereof are begotten ^dsonsand daughters unto God.

Trials

This makes my trial seem like a grain of sand in the entire ocean... this is another video I do not have to say anything... it says it all. And I know after you watch this you know exactly how I am feeling. I am grateful for messages like this, that can touch our hearts so deeply, turn our fear into hope, and our doubt into faith! I am so grateful for the Savior and I know that every trial will be but a small moment.

Comfort

D&C 76: 2-6

 2 ^aGreat is his wisdom, ^bmarvelous are his ways, and the extent of his doings none can find out.

 3 His ^apurposes fail not, neither are there any who can stay his hand.

 4 From eternity to eternity he is the ^asame, and his years never^bfail.

 5 For thus saith the Lord—I, the Lord, am ^amerciful and gracious unto those who ^bfear me, and delight to honor those who ^cserve me in righteousness and in truth unto the end.

 6 Great shall be their reward and eternal shall be their ^aglory.

As I was studying my scriptures today this was the first verses I read... I have been pretty frustrated lately trying to figure out what is going on with this whole pregnancy thing and I felt pretty comforted after reading these scriptures... The extent of his doings none can find out! But marvelous are his ways. His purposes fail not!!! I know Paige will come soon I just have to be patient and remember that his way is the best way. So maybe say a prayer that I can be at peace with his way! I love both of you so much! 

Mamie