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Hang on the walls of your mind the memory of your successes. Take counsel of your strength, not your weakness. Think of the good jobs you have done. Think of the times when you rose above your average level of performance and carried out an idea or a dream for which you had deeply longed. Hang these pictures on the walls of your mind and look at them as you travel the roadway of life.
--Attributed to Whistler by Sterling W. Sill, "Great Experiences," Ensign, June 1971, 43
This has been a wonderful and marvelous journey. I have learned so many new truths. I have had amazing experiences. What has struck me the most is the knowledge that has filled my mind. Truths have been confirmed to my heart. I have grown in so many ways.
There is a Chines proverb that says - Jade must chiseled before it can be considered a gem. Well, I am jade and Christ is the Master holding the chisel. He has chiseled away so many rough spots. He has polished and polished until I shine.
I feel a difference in my thinking. I know He is there. I know He loves me. I know He lives. I look forward to continuing this journey. The joy is really in the journey and mine is really just beginning.
The Deliverer
Take you hence … twelve stones. – Joshua 4:3
The Invitation … Remember
-Read the story of Joshua and the crossing of the river Jordan in Joshua 3 and 4.
The Journey
-Either figuratively or literally, gather twelve stones. Assign each stone to represent a blessing that you have recognized in your journey toward Christ.
-Share these blessings with your family. Testify how you are coming to know the Healer, the Master, the Son of God, even Jesus Christ. What are the stories you can tell about how He has strengthened, enlightened, comforted, or otherwise blessed you?
My Experience …
This has been an amazing journey, one that I am going to continue to embark upon. I want to continually develop my relationship with my Savior. I want to continue to have this feeling that is in my heart. I love the peace and the comfort I feel. I know it comes from my Savior. He has delivered me from so much heartache and pain.
The trials are still going to be there. This is not a perfect world where trials don’t exist. What I have come to know and understand is that the Savior is always there. He never leaves. I have come to understand that on such a personal level. I know that because He loves me on such a personal level, I can trust His plan for me. I will not be lead astray.
My twelve stones or blessings that I have learned are:
1. Love
2. Courage
3. Strength
4. Patience
5. Forgiveness
6. Answered Prayers
7. Faith
8. Hope
9. Healing
10. Peace
11. Friendship
12. Compassion
There is meaning behind each blessing. They have been such a part of my life lately. I think that I will continue this journey by each day looking at a blessing and telling a story behind it. I want to keep feeling the way I feel. I know I am being greatly blessed.
The Friend
And it came to pass that I
… having great desires to know
… did cry unto the Lord;
and behold he did visit me.
--1 Nephi 2:16
The Invitation …
-Read the account of the disciples walking on the road to Emmaus, found in Luke 24:13-32.
The Journey
-Learn to use the scriptures to receive personal revelation from the Lord.
-Take some time today to find a scripture that speaks to you.
-Let His Spirit abide in your heart by reflecting on that scripture throughout the day.
My Experience …
Abide with me! Fast falls the eventide; the darkness deepens. Lord, with me abide! When other helpers fail and comforts flee, help of the helpless, oh, abide with me!
Swift to its close ebbs out life’s little day. Earth’s joys grow dim; its glories pass away. Change and decay in all around I see; O thou who changest not, abide with me!
I need thy presence every passing hour. What but thy grace can foil the tempter’s power? Who, like thyself, my guide and stay can be? Thru cloud and sunshine, Lord, abide with me!
--LDS Hymns #166 Abide with Me.
I love this hymn. I love the power behind the words. I love the spirit that penetrates my soul. I love the comfort that it brings. Often times when I find myself in darkness, I find myself singing this hymn. I find myself longing for the Savior to wrap me in His arms and to feel the peace that He brings. When I sing this hymn, I feel that comfort. I feel the Savior’s arm around me. I feel his love.
The scripture that speaks to me today is in Doctrine and Covenants 6:36
“Look unto me in every thought, doubt not, fear not.”
This scripture has significant meaning because it requires action on my part. I have to look to the Savior for help. I have to look to Him for all that He gives me. I have reach out to him. When I do reach out to Him, He is there. He has never left. He comes every time I call. Doubt not, fear not are the most comforting words to me. I love how I feel wrapped in His arms.
"I delight in the examples of those in the scriptures who walk by faith on their earthly journey. Each time I walk with Abraham and Isaac on the road to Mount Moriah, I weep, knowing that Abraham does not know that there will be an angel and a ram in the thicket at the end of that journey. We are each in the middle of our earthly path, and we don't know the rest of our own stories. But we, as Abraham, are blessed with miracles." Sister Susan W. Tanner
I know there will always be a miracle for me as long as I look, doubting and fearing not.
The Savior
Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. –Psalm 30:5
The Invitation … Seek
-Read the account of Mary Magdalene in John 20:1-18.
The Journey
-Examine your life. What is your greatest need?
-Sometime today find a way to seek the Lord. Find in Christ the answers you long for. Dare to reach a new level of understanding.
My Experience …
As I look back on my life over the past few months, I realize that I have had so many prayers answered. Reading this story of Mary Magdalene has brought some new understanding.
Mary was taught so much from the Savior. She knew who he was and loved him very much. When the Savior was not in the tomb after the third day, Mary was saddened that someone had removed His body. When she looked up into the tomb, Mary saw two angels who asked her why she was crying. Her answer was that someone had removed the body of her Savior and she didn’t know where it was. Then, as she turned, another person asked her why she was weeping. Mary, supposing the man to be a gardener, asked him where he removed the body to. Mary only recognized who the Savior was when he called her name.
I want to be like Mary. I want to recognize the voice of the Savior when he calls my name. I want to be comforted by the Savior as he speaks my name. I have been very blessed over the past couple of months. I have come to understand how my Savior speaks to me.
I have gone through some difficult trials. I have longed to understand the meaning of those trials. Many times I have asked, “why me, why now?” I don’t understand everything. I don’t understand the questions of why me, why now. What I do understand is that the Savior loves me. He answers my prayers. I don’t have to know everything. I don’t have to understand everything. All I need to remember is that I can hear my Savior’s voice. He loves me. That is all that really matters.
I would love to have not gone through some of my trials. I think most of us would say that. If I had to give up this feeling that I have now, I wouldn’t trade my trials for anything. Through my trials, I have come to know who the Savior is. I have come to know that I can hear and recognize my Savior’s voice. My heart is being healed more and more everyday. I feel happy and loved. I know that it is through my trial that I have come to know the Savior.
The Advocate
And there will I meet thee, and I will go before thee …
And there will I bless thee …
And thus I will do unto thee because this long time ye have cried unto me. –Ether 1:42-43
The Invitation … Understand Grace
-Read Ether 12 and look for the blessings.
The Journey
-Remember, grace comes after all you can do. Take time today to analyze a trying situation in your life. After you have done all that you can do, place it at the feet of the Lord. Keep a written record of the greater things and the unspeakable gifts that will come as He leads you to the promise.
My experience …
Ether 12:6 says, “And now, I, Moroni, would speak somewhat concerning these things; I would show unto the world that faith is things which are hoped for and not seen; wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith.”
Over the past year I have come to understand this scripture. I was in a pretty dark place and finally decided that I could no longer do what I was doing on my own. I needed help. I needed to allow the Savior to carry me because I really did not have the strength to go on my own. This is where I had to hope that the Savior would do what He promised and lead me in the right direction. I also had to hope that the Savior loved me enough to want to do that. It was very scary for me. I had to have enough faith to trust the Lord and jump.
I did. I jumped. I prayed that the Lord would see me through this trial. He caught me. He carried me. He sustained me in my darkness. He gave me light and knowledge. He gave me strength. He walked by me when I felt recovered. He loved me when I didn’t love myself. He opened my eyes and changed my heart.
He still loves me. He still walks by me. He still answers my prayers and gives me guidance. I know my Savior lives. I know He cares about each of us. I know He loves me. I have received my witness and I doubt not.
The Fount of Every Blessing
Till thou hast paid the very last mite. –Luke 12:59
The Invitation … Give All
-Read the account of the rich young man in Mark 10:17-22 and the widow’s mite in Mark 12:41-44.
The Journey
-Think of someone you know who has given all in service to the Lord. What Lesson can you learn from that person? How can you be more like him or her?
-Commit today to give all you have in your service to the Lord. Choose one area where you feel you could give more. What changes will this require in your daily routines?
My Experience …
Mark 10:27 – “For with God all things are possible.” I love this scripture today. I love it because that is how I truly feel. I have worked very hard lately to overcome my past. I have had to learn to trust my Savior and my Heavenly Father. I have had to learn to trust the help that was sent to me. I have felt the strength rendered in my time of weakness. Now it is time to strengthen my brethren.
I have been given so much help that I often question how I will ever be able to repay the kindnesses given to me. The only way to repay those kindnesses is to pay it forward. I am going to try and give my all in repaying the acts of service I have received. For me, this will require learning to listen to the promptings of the spirit better. When I hear those promptings, it will require me acting on them. Sometimes I hear but I don’t really listen. I’m going to do better in this.
I have been so blessed on this recent journey. It hasn’t always been roses. It’s been hard work and a lot of emotions. Even with the hard work and emotions, I have been blessed. I hope that I can be a better person because of this and help those around me. I want to emulate my Savior. In my want, I want to give everything I have. I want to make this new me a life long journey.
The Faithful Withness
Without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers; … for I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established; that is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me. –Romans 1:9-12
The Invitation … Develop Faith
-Read the account of the pleading father in Mark 9:17-27.
The Journey
-Take time to identify and write down an area in which you feel you are not enough. This could include challenges that are physical, temporal, spiritual, or emotional.
-Take it to the Lord. Plead your case in prayer. Don’t be afraid to acknowledge your weakness and ask for greater faith. Then be still and listen to the promptings that will come.
My Experience …
This is a hard entry for me to write. I have started it over a few different times already. I have seen a miracle in my life. I have changed and my faith has grown. Yet, I sometimes find myself doubting. It’s sometimes easier to believe in miracles when they happen to other people.
I don’t think I’m ready to share my experience quite yet. I can share that I am taking my weakness to the Lord. I need His help to really overcome my doubt. I need His love to finally put my past in the past. Maybe another day I will be able to share what I’m really feeling right now.
I can say that as I read this chapter, I really appreciated the beginning words of Paul. I believe that they were meant for me. The remind me of all the prayers that have been said in my behalf. I’m very grateful for those prayers. I’m grateful that the Lord has heard those prayers. He has softened my heart so that I can finally receive the spiritual gifts that He has in store for me. I have felt those prayers and I’m very grateful for those that have pleaded in my behalf. I have felt the strength of your faith and it helps my unbelief.
The Guest
The Lord be with us till the night
Enfold our day of rest,
And be in every heart the light,
In every home the guest.
--Hymns, no. 161
The Invitation … Be Still
-Read the story of Zacchaeus found in Luke 19:1-6.
The Journey
-First, find your sycamore tree, or the quiet place you can go to focus on the Lord.
-Second, make hast and invite the Lord into your home. How ill you prepare to receive Him?
My Experience …
My sycamore tree lately is my car. I have turned off the radio music and have put church music in the CD player. My car has become a place for me to really think and ponder what I need to. I find myself praying to my Father in Heaven and really taking the time to listen.
I’m sure this sounds kind of strange because how can I concentrate so deeply when I’m driving? My car is the quiet place right now. I can let go of the world and just listen to what my Father in Heaven needs me to do. I don’t have the distractions of a roommate or dog. My cell phone is quieted. It’s just nice to think.
What I love most about the story of Zacchaeus is that he wanted to take time from his busy day to see the Savior. He took the time to find a place that he could see the Savior, even if it was from a sycamore tree. The next thing that was impressive was that when the Savior told him to make haste and come down from the tree, Zacchaeus was obedient and did so quickly. Because he did this, he was able to receive the Savior joyfully.
I hope that I can follow the example of Zacchaeus because he made time for what was really important. He was obedient to the Savior. The more I read about these stories, the more I realize how much the Savior blesses us when we are obedient. He blesses us with so much more than we can expect because we follow His commandments. I’m starting to realize how much I really love the Savior and that I as follow His path that he has for me and make time for what he wants me to do, He is blessing me way beyond my capacity to receive those blessings. It is a wonderful feeling. I know I’m in the right spot right now and that is right where I want to be.
I love my Savior and I hope that I can take the time to always listen to what He wants me to do.
The Teacher
One thing is needful. –Luke 10:42
The Invitation … Do Your Best
-Read the story of Martha found in Luke 10:38-42.
The Journey
-Remember who you are. What are you best at? What gift can you offer? How can that gift bring more joy to the people around you?
-Choose to give the better part today. Find one way that you can use your gift to serve someone else’s need.
My Experience …
During my mission, many years ago, Elder Tiechert used to say, “Remember who you are and don’t let it get you down.” I laugh just thinking about that phrase and all the goofy memories. That phrase, today, has taken on a different meaning. After reading the story of Mary and Martha, I realized that both women knew who they were. Martha, however, let it get her down. Martha had a great talent of serving people. I’m sure she would have been the image of a wonderful Relief Society President had it existed at that time. She served from sun up to sun down. What she probably didn’t realize was how important that service was to someone else and thus, she got down on herself and the talent she possessed. Mary on the other hand was a great listener and learner. She also knew who she was and took the time to develop that talent and share it others.
I think when Christ told Martha that Mary had chosen the better part he was implying that Mary was developing her talent. If Martha had recognized that her talent was one of service to others, she probably would not have asked the Master to tell Mary to help.
So, who am I? I have thought about what talents I have. I am a very loyal friend. I wouldn’t say that I have a lot of friends but those that I consider my friends, have my loyalty. I am learning to develop the art of friendship more. I hope that I can continue that. I would love to have a ton of friends, not just acquaintances. I would love to be kind of friend to others that Christ has become for me. I want to love the differences in people, not just tolerate them. I want to truly know them. I believe that I have a great capacity to love. I believe that Heavenly Father wants me to develop that talent. I hope I can. I know that as I learn to love people the way the Savior loves them joy will be in both lives. All will be edified.
I know who I am now and I am not going to let it get me down. I am going to develop the talent of loving others and be happy doing it. I am going to love others and myself the way that the Savior loves me. At least I am going to try to do that.
The Light of the World
Let us walk in the light of the Lord. – Isaiah 2:5
The Invitation … Reflect
-Read Isaiah 50:10-11
The Journey
-Write down some ways that you have been able to turn to the Lord for direction and support.
-Write down some of the ways you have learned to trust Him.
-Today find one way to share your testimony of these two principles with someone who is struggling.
My Experience …
I lived my life in the kind of dark that Isaiah is speaking about. While I have learned of Christ since the time I was young, I didn’t trust that He could really help me. I had given up on myself and lost hope that the Savior loved me as well. It’s humbling to have an experience where I had to totally rely on the Savior’s love to get me through.
Over the past year, I have been learning a great deal of learning to rely on the Savior completely. Not just when I thought I needed to, but all the time. I have seen a great change over the past year. I met with my Bishop not too long ago to discuss some of the changes that have happened and he shared a though with me about light. When you open the door on a dark night, the dark does not creep inside. It is the light that shines forth into the darkness and lights the way. It is the same with Christ’s love. When we rely on and trust in the Savior, the dark will not creep in, but His light will shine forth. I’m really grateful that my Bishop shared that thought. It made me think about how I was a year ago and what I am today.
I still have my times where I feel like someone has turned out the lights. The good thing is that now, I have the key to turning them back on. When I trust in my Savior, the light is constant. The more I trust in Him, the more I love Him. The more I love Him, the more I feel loved and blessed by Him. It is a wonderful cycle to be in.
I hope that I can find someone to share my light with. I have been so blessed lately and I need to remember to share that with others. I hope that I can do that in a way that is pleasing to my Father in Heaven and to the Savior. I want to share His light because I have seen how truly beautiful it is.
The Giver of Every Good Gift
Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee. – Mark 5:19
The Invitation … Change
-Read the account of the lepers in Luke 17:11-19.
The Journey
-Identify a change that you would like to make in your own life. It could be something amiss in your family, your work, your relationships, or an individual weakness. Write down a plan that will enable you to make that change. Approach the Lord in prayer and ask for His help.
My Experience …
I’ve read the story of the ten lepers many times. Reading it this time has made a different impact on the way I think about the story. I think it’s different this time because of the place I’m in. I feel like I can really apply the teachings of this story in my own personal experience.
The story starts as Jesus is headed to Jerusalem. He passes through Samaria and Galilee. While passing through those two cities, Christ enters a village. On the outskirts of the village are ten lepers. These men were cast off and banished because of their disease. Many times I have felt like a leper, banished from Christ’s love because of my past experiences. I know that thinking this was completely wrong but that is how I felt. I felt that I was on the outskirts of the village and not allowed to enter.
The story continues where the ten lepers cry out for help from the Master. This is the first step in their healing. They cried out for help. I look back on my past and realize that my first step to healing was the same thing. I needed to cry out to the Master for help. I needed to allow Him the opportunity to help me. He will not help if I don’t allow it. So, I realized that all ten of these men had pretty much hit rock bottom and they finally allowed Christ to enter their hearts.
Next, Christ tells the lepers to go and show themselves to the priests. All of them left to do that. This is where another important thing happens. All ten of these lepers were obedient. They did exactly as they had been asked. They left the scene to show themselves unto the priest. As they left, they were healed. They were healed because they were obedient. I know that as I have been obedient in following the commandments, listening to the promptings from the Holy Ghost, following the counsel of those sent to help me, I have been healed. My heart is light. I can feel the change in my attitude and my thinking. I can feel the love of the Savior and know that He is the one who has healed me.
The most important part of the story comes when the one leper turns and gives thanks. I realize that the others being obedient and doing what Christ had told them. The one, however, took time to thank the Lord. And the Lord blesses him with important counsel. In verse 19 Christ says to the one leper, “Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.” I think this is important to understand and apply. It’s important because the one leper finds the real reason as to his healing. It’s important to apply because as we are healed we need to remember to give thanks.
I have seen a miracle in my life. I have seen a change in my heart. I am really trying to apply the lesson of this story in my own experience. I need to remember to always turn and give thanks to the Lord. I cried out for help and my Savior answered that cry. He sent many loving friends to help when I needed it the most. He walked by my side throughout the process of healing. Now, when I see the change in myself, I can turn around and thank the Lord. It is from Him that this miracle is possible. I am grateful for that knowledge.
My plan for this particular journey is to continue to give thanks to the Savior for this mighty change of heart and miracle in my life. I am continually looking for opportunities to pay it forward. I’m not quite ready to share my whole experience with the world but I can share it one person at a time. I look forward to the coming months as I learn more to turn around and give thanks to the Lord. I know that He will know that I am grateful for all of His love and healing. I can only show it through my actions and words.
The Prince of Peace
Seek the Lord … [for] he be not far from every one of us. – Acts 17:27
The Invitation … Focus
-Read the account of Peter’s focus on Christ in Matthew 14:22-23 and John 21:1-19.
The Journey
-Today remember to focus on Christ. Allow Him to become part of your conversations, your celebrations, your teaching moments, and your thoughts. Long to be near Him.
My Experience …
I love this story Peter. He had amazing faith in the Savior. Peter longed to be near Him. I love what the Emily Freeman wrote about this particular story. She writes the following after sharing the story of Peter walking and water and then sinking, “The important part of the story is that when Peter cried unto the Lord, Christ was there immediately. Jesus stretched forth His hand and caught him. Many times we find ourselves in a similar situation. We become overwhelmed with the magnitude of the path before us. Questioning our ability to move forward, we begin doubting our ability to go on. And so the storm begins to church within. We find ourselves faltering, sinking, losing the ability to believe. We wonder if the Lord will carry us through our own raging waters, if He will stretch forth His hand and catch us. Peter’s mistake was taking his eyes off the Savior and letting the raging of the world around him become his focus. So often in the process of learning we take our eyes off the Savior. We lose sight of the goal and find ourselves focusing instead on the turmoil that surrounds us, losing faith that He is able to calm the storm.”
I find myself in this type of situation often. What I have learned over that past year though is that Christ is always there to catch me and pull me up. He never leaves me to fend for myself. I do have to ask for help though. I have learned to pray with more purpose and to trust the answers I have been given. I have learned a lot about faith and trust and I am continuing to learn to apply those principles.
Last night I was given a priesthood blessing. There was a lot of emphasis on my new found faith and how pleased my Heavenly Father is. What really got to me was that my Heavenly Father is thankful that I am allowing Him to love me. It has taken me a year to even begin to understand the love that is in store for me. I have learned to trust that love. I have learned to trust my Father in Heaven and my Savior. I know that when my storms come, they will be there to pull me up when I start to sink. They will always rescue me. I just have to stay focused on them and I know that I will be ok. The best part of knowing this is that my faith in them continues to grow. This new journey will be a wonderful reward. I look forward to it with excitement and hope.
The Captain
We are living in a part of the universe occupied by the rebel. Enemy occupied territory – that is what this world is. – C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity, 45-46
The Invitation … Stand
-Read Luke 22:31-32.
The Journey
-When you see the battle raging, where do you see yourself in the fight? Consider your church calling, your role as a parent, or your role as a friend. Do you give some, or do you give all?
-Find one way that you can strengthen someone today.
My experience …
About a year ago I found a song that has now become the ring tone on my cell. It’s by Rascal Flatts and is called Stand. The lyric to the chorus are as follows.
Cause when push comes to shove
You taste what you’re made of
You might ben til you break
Cause it’s all you can take
On your knees you look up
Decide you’ve had enough
You get mad, you get strong
Wipe your hands, shake it off
Then you stand, then you stand.
I made it my ring tone to remind me that you have to get back up when the world knocks you down. Satan is a school yard bully and will do anything to see us fall down and stay down. He will use every tactic possible. Well, I have enough of Satan trying to keep me down. I have finally called for help. My Savior comes every time I call. He picks me up and helps me fight. What more can I ask for?
The only way that I can every repay anything that my Savior has done for me is to help others to stand and to continue to stand myself. The more I fight off Satan’s tactics, the stronger I become and the more I realize that I am not alone in the fight.
None of us are alone. It is up to each of us to help one another. Together we can become a mighty army and defend Christ’s cause. I hope that I can remember what it feels like to stand. It really is an amazing thing.
The Watchman
Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets. – Amos 3:7
The Invitation … Follow
-Read the account of King Benjamin’s address in Mosiah 2 and focus on verses 5-6.
The Journey
-What counsel do you remember most from the last general conference? Glance through the Ensign or visit www.lds.org to help you recall some of you favorite talks.
-Write down the counsel given and place it somewhere that you will see it often. How can following that counsel strengthen your testimony of Jesus Christ?
-What is one way you can apply inspired counsel to your life today?
My Experience …
One of my favorite talks from October 2009 General Conference was given by Elder L. Whitney Clayton of the Presidency of the Seventy. He talked about burdens. His talk went straight to my heart and I listened to the words he had to say.
He talked about burdens coming from three sources. The three sources included natural burdens that are a product of the conditions of the world in which we live, burdens that are imposed on us by others actions, and burdens that are caused by our own mistakes and sins.
Elder Clayton said one key thing for me. He said, “Burdens provide opportunities to practice virtues that contribute to eventual perfection. The invite us to yield to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and put off the natural man and become a saint through the atonement of Christ the lord and become as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon us, even as a child doth submit to his father. Thus burdens become blessings, though often such blessings are well disguised and may require time, effort, and faith to accept and understand.”
I have a huge burden that often gets me down. What I have learned from listening to conference addresses, my bishop and my Savior is that there is a reason I must go through this. I don’t know the answer as to why me. I do know that I have been given strength to carry this burden. It has been lightened in so many ways. I know that strength comes from a loving Father in Heaven who is teaching me all about His Son. I know that Christ’s Atonement was meant for me. Applying the Atonement in my life has brought needed peace to my heart. It has brought clarity to a very tough situation. It has forced me to my knees to plead for help. It has brought needed friends and counsel.
I look forward to the day when this burden will be gone. I am grateful now for the love that is being given me because of my trial.
The Good Shepherd
I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. – John 10:14
The Invitation … Listen
-Read the parable of the Good Shepherd in John 10:1-18.
The Journey
-Think about how you have learned to recognize the voice of the Shepherd. How has His “voice” come to you? Make a list of the moments when you have heard that voice and have heeded the call. Some ideas may include going to the temple, visiting someone in need, attending church, studying the scripture, preparing a lesson, praying with a special purpose, or listening to the prophet.
-Find one way to “hear” His voice today.
My experience …
I have learned to listen a lot better to the voice of the Shepherd lately. I seem to always hear His voice better when I put in the effort to work through a trial. Maybe it’s because I’m being humble and meek. Maybe it’s because I need to have Him in my life more than I do. I don’t really know. I know that I am his sheep though.
I am the one sheep who wandered away and ignored His voice for so long. The Savior never gave up on me. He looked for me. He called me. He found me and carried me back. He brought me back to the fold and blessed me more abundantly than I could have ever imagined.
The only way I can ever repay that kindness is to try harder to listen better. The past month has been pretty wonderful. I have felt so much peace and love from my Savior. His words seem to come with more understanding and clarity. I’m trying really hard to be like him. Some days are better than others. I know that I am learning from Him and my life is calmer. When I feel His peace, I feel loved and needed.
Today, I am just trying to listen for His voice and for the things that He wants me to. If I want to become like the Savior, then I need to start emulating the Savior. I hope that I can listen clearly for His voice and do as He asks.
The Author and The Finisher
Inasmuch as ye are humble and faithful and call upon my name, behold, I will give you the victory. – Doctrine and Covenants 104:82
The Invitation … Pray
-Learn to recognize the steady rhythm of the One who accompanies you along the race by reading Moroni 7:26.
The Journey
-Ponder the five characteristics of prayer given in the verse. How will remembering these make your prayers more meaningful? Choose one step that you would like to focus on.
-As you kneel to pray tonight, thank your Heavenly Father for His Son, Jesus Christ. Share with Him the reasons why you are grateful for the Savior. Let Him know what your knowledge of Christ means to you.
My Experience …
Prayer is a little tricky for me. Not that I don’t believe, but because it is so much easier for me to talk to someone face to face. I have a lot of work to do in this area. I have learned over the past year that I NEED to rely on my Savior. I can’t make it through this life on my own. I have learned to communicate better over the course of this last year.
In the beginning of this chapter, the author talks about how she used to run a 10K (about 6 miles) every year with her parents. She talked about how she loved passing the person who handed out drinks and then how she liked the corner that her family would all be standing at cheering her own. She also mentioned that it was mile 5 that always got her. This is where she wanted to always give up or take a rest or even walk. It was then that her father would count out her pace and help her through the tricky mile. She would match his pace and by mile 6 she was once again setting her pace and running her race.
I feel like I have run the same race. My life has not been easy. I have made it through miles 1 through 4. I’m in mile 5 so to speak. Last year, I really just wanted to throw in the towel. I wanted to walk and rest. However, that is when the Savior started counting out the pace and helped me match Him. I think we are finally coming to then end of mile 5.
I love the scripture that is the reading for today. “…Whatsoever thing ye shall ask the Father in my name, which is good, in faith believing that ye shall receive, behold, it shall be done unto you.” This is very powerful. When I think about it, I realize that Heavenly Father is just waiting to bless me. All I have to do is ask. I have to work, but I have to ask to receive those blessings.
I’ve decided that I want to take this daily challenge and really apply it. I want to work asking in faith and believing that the answers will come. A lot of the time, I ask, hoping that the answer will be good. There are a couple of things that I really want to ask for. I know that I need to weigh some of the options and put in some more effort in what solutions would be best for me. When I figure those options out, I really want to ask with faith, believing that He will bless me with what is right and good.
While I have a hard time with prayer sometimes, I know that it works. I have had many prayers answered. I have felt the strength of prayer when I have kneeled and petitioned my Father. I have felt the peace that comes when others have said prayers in my behalf. I cannot deny the power and affect of prayer in my life. I can only do better with my expressions to my Heavenly Father. I’m thankful that I can speak with Him and feel both His love and my Saviors love.
The High Priest of Good Things to Come
And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise. – Hebrews 6:15
The Invitation … Hope
-Read the story of the blind man in John 9:1-38.
The Journey
-Attempt to analyze through different eyes a situation that has been troubling to you. Pray that the Savior will touch your eyes so that you will see what you need to do differently.
-Now take some time to write down some of the good things that have to you through Christ. How does recognizing these blessings bring you hope?
My experience …
This story of the blind man was very touching to me. Here is a man who had been blind from birth. He had a physical ailment that was not curable. It was not his fault that he was blind. I can imagine him longing to see just once. I imagine him longing to be rid of his problem for just a short period of time. Yet, when I really think and ponder the story, this blind man did neither. He took the ailment and physical limitations he was given and made the best of the situation. Because he did this, he had been prepared for the miracle which was about to happen.
In my life, I have not had things easy. I’ve worked hard to get where I’m at today. Over the last year, I have worked really hard at enduring a trial. At times, I so wanted to throw my hands up in the air and say, “I QUIT!” When my situation became extremely trying, I would be easily frustrated. Looking back now, I can see the hand of the Lord in every moment of this trial. When I wanted to quit, I would be sent help in ways that sometimes I didn’t understand. I was given help through many priesthood blessings. I was sent friends who lightened my load. I was given a candle in a dark place.
Looking back at the past year, I wish I would have had faith like the blind man. He endured his trial and was healed. In my own way, I have endured my trial. My faith definitely grew along the way. Maybe I didn’t have the faith to start with but I am grateful that I see with new eyes now. I can see how I have been blessed line upon line. My trial is still in my life but I can see it through different eyes. I can see that my Savior is walking right along side of me.
It’s time to take this trial that I have been given and make lemonade. I can tell you that it will be the best lemonade. I have learned that as I endure trials with patience, the reward will always be more than I can imagine. The reward that I have been given now is peace. My shoulders are stronger to bear the burdens and I am much happier. I am the miracle. My life, feelings and attitude are completely different. I have been blessed in so many ways.
I love my Heavenly Father and my Savior. I am trying really hard to look at the trials in my life through different eyes. I know as I do this I will be blessed. I have hope now that things will work out. I hope that this burden and trial will not only bless me but those that may need my help in overcoming their own burdens and trials.
The Lord of All
Whom say ye that I am? – Matthew 16:15
The Invitation … Discover
-Read the account of the Samaritan woman in John 4:1-42.
The Journey
-Prepare to receive a simple learning moment, a “pearly in the field,” as you go through your day. Let your search be constant. Try to discover, “in every hour,” some heavenly blessing that will bring you closer to Christ. A treasure – God’s gold.
My experience …
Just over a year ago, I began searching for a deeper relationship with Christ. I wanted to know who He really is and what role He plays in my life. It’s been a wonderful journey. As I read the account of the woman of Samaria, I was touched by her willingness to believe in Christ.
Like her, I have been taught of the Savior. I have been told of the miracles that He has given to other people. I longed for my own miracle. I longed to have Him wrap His arms around me. I longed to have Him walk by my side. I’ve come to realize that He was by my side the whole time. He is by my side all the time. Line upon line, He has given me what I need to have faith in Him.
The more my faith in Him grew, the more knowledge I was given. The more knowledge that I was given helped me to see His love for me. He knows me. I am the miracle I was looking for. Everyday, I try and look for those moments that help me see His hand in my life.
This journey of trying to get closer to the Savior is a wonderful thing for me. I’m recognizing more and more His love for me. He doesn’t walk away and abandon those that feel broken and lost. He leaves the 99 and finds the 1.
I was thinking about my name today. In the Greek language, Margaret means “Pearl.” I truly am a pearl. The way a pearl is made is interesting. A grain of sand gets stuck in a clam. The sand is an irritant to the clam and the clam continuously covers the grain of sand with a substance. Over time, a pearl is formed. A grain of sand turns into something beautiful.
I’m a grain of sand. I was placed on this earth with some very trying and hurtful circumstances. My experiences have covered me with a substance over time. Today, I realize that I am a pearl. The Lord has blessed my life. He has given me the knowledge to know who I really am and that I matter to Him. I will be forever grateful for that knowledge. I am my own miracle.
The Healer
The cultivation of Christlike qualities is a demanding and relentless task - it is not for the seasonal worker or for those who will not stretch themselves, again and again. --Spencer W. Kimball
The Invitation … Search
-Read the account of Jairus in Matthew 9:18-26.
The Journey
-Think back on a time in your life when you had to search for the Savior to find strength beyond your own. Try to remember the process you went through in that search. Was it scripture study, more meaningful prayers, or another avenue that led you to Christ?
-Stretch again. Apply one of those principles today.
My experience …
I loved reading the account of Jairus last night. Something about it struck me. I think I found myself drawn to the great faith that Jairus had. Not only was Jairus full of faith, the woman who had the issue of blood had just as much. She knew she could be healed by just touching the Master’s robe. That is tremendous faith.
I have come to learn that I have great faith in Jesus Christ. I have gone through great trials lately and have had every reason to not move forward. I’m thankful that I have wonderful friends who have encouraged me along my new journey. I’m even more thankful for a Savior who has not only walked beside me, but has carried me more often than not.
Finding this new found love for the Savior has been very rewarding and peaceful for me. I feel His love on a daily basis. I can hear him telling me the same thing that he told the woman who touched the hem of his robe, “Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole.” Reading those words last night made me feel as though He was right there in my room. He has healed my broken heart.
I’m grateful to Him. My promise to my Savior in order to stretch myself is to share this new found faith with those I come in contact with. I hope that I can always honor these feelings I am having. I know they are from the Savior and they are witnessed to my heart by the Holy Ghost. I hope that I will always search for ways to allow the Savior into my life and into my heart.
The Holy One of Israel
The keeper of the gate is the Holy One of Israel; and he employeth no servant there. -2 Nephi 9:41
The Invitation … Keep
--Read 2 Nephi 25:21-26.
The Journey
--Do you have a written copy of your testimony of Christ? Take time to write one today. You might want to include your belief in Him, your gratitude for Him, or an experience that has strengthened your testimony of Him.
--Obtain and keep a journal of your twenty-one-day journey, recording the treasures and discoveries that come to you as you follow this path.
My experience …
I’ve really been thinking about the Savior these past couple of days. It is no surprise to me that today’s challenge is to write my testimony of Him. I have seen the hand of Lord in my life a lot lately. I have felt His peace and His love more over the past few months than I have in a long time.
2008 was a really hard year for me. I faced a lot of heartache that was not caused completely by my actions. Others had a lot to do with the way I was feeling. I didn’t love myself. Because I didn’t love myself, I didn’t allow the Savior to love me either. I hit one of the lowest points in my life. It seemed like everything was falling apart. I didn’t know where to turn for help. Thankfully, with the help of wonderful friends and a caring Bishop, help was there.
2009 was spent learning who I really am. I had to learn to allow the Savior to love me for being me. There were many ups and downs during the year. What I have learned over the course of the year is that the Savior will not leave me.
Over the past couple of months, I have learned more about applying the Savior’s Atonement in my life. Christ isn’t just there to help those that sin. He is there to lift all those whose burdens are heavy. One of my favorite scriptures today says, “Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest.” What a glorious promise. I have felt the rest that the Savior provides.
Looking at me now, compared to a year ago, I am completely different. I feel Christ’s love for me as an individual. I know He knows who I am. I know He loves me more that I will ever be able to truly comprehend. I know He is God’s son and that He came to earth to help me return to my Father in Heaven. I know His atonement is real. I have felt the blessings that come from that. I know He lives.
I have experienced His love more abundantly lately. I am grateful that He didn’t give up on me. I am grateful that when I think about Him, I can feel His peace. I love the Savior and my Heavenly Father. I love the experiences and trials I have been given so that I can continue to learn to draw near unto them. In doing this I know they are near me. They hold me in their hands and I will be forever grateful for this love.
Jesus the Christ
Behold, I will lead thee by my hand, and I will take thee, to put upon thee my name. – Abraham 1:18
The Invitation … Covenant
--Read the account of the Last Supper in John 13:4-15.
The Journey
--As you go through this day, find ways that you can bring honor to Christ’s name by letting the walk of your life exemplify Him. On this day, try to remember Him always.
--This twenty-one-day journey will introduce different names of the Savior. Take a moment each day to reflect on how each name describes a way that He blesses your life.
My experience …
As I read the account of the Last Supper before I went to bed yesterday, I was filled with a lot of gratitude. The Savior is the best example of love and service. I tried to picture myself there in the room with the Savior and His disciples. I tried to imagine the teaching moment that happened.
I thought about the times when I have felt closest to my Savior. Those times are when someone performs an act of service, not because they have been asked but because they love the person they are serving. I am blessed to witness this almost daily in my little neighborhood. I live in a great ward. I feel like the people in my neighborhood and ward boundaries are truly friends, not just neighbors.
I have been blessed with wonderful friends my whole life. When I look back at the times when I have struggled spiritually or in any other way, there has always been help in the form of a friend. These wonderful people have kept their baptismal covenants. They have mourned with me, lifted my heart, strengthened my arms and legs and in every way, carried me when I couldn’t do it myself. These wonderful people have truly carried Christ’s name on their heart and have honored that name. I will be forever grateful for those that have been by my side in hard times and in good times.
A scripture that struck me last night was verse 17 – “If ye know these things, HAPPY are ye if do them.” Have you ever seen someone totally miserable when performing service? I know that when I think about others and try and fill a need, I am happier and my heart is lighter. I’m the one that is usually blessed more abundantly.
My prayers last night included a plea to try and be more like the Savior and find ways to show those around me that I love Him and want to be like Him. I asked that somehow, I would be able to see a need and to fill that need. Today, I have thought a lot about the service that I have given and received. When we serve, we really are a lot happier. I want to be happier. I want to be like my Savior.
My goal over the next month is to find a way to serve someone everyday. I want to be more like the Savior. I want to have more of a capacity to love. I know that as I truly try, I will be blessed. I want to honor His name and His example.
The Fisher of Men
Thou shalt see greater things than these. – John 1:50
The Invitation … Come
--Read the account of the fishermen in Mark 1:16-18 and in John 1:38-39.
The Journey
-- Determine what fills your nets. Are everyday challenges such as time constraints, demands from work or home, or feelings of inadequacy or fear holding you back from developing a relationship with Christ?
-- Today try to listen for the quiet invitation from the Lord to ‘come and see’.
My Experience …
The author, Emily Freeman, shared a story at the beginning of this chapter that really got me thinking. There had been a fierce storm with a lot of thunder and lightening. I imagined the kind of storm that even I would be slightly fearful of. It rained for hours until finally it passed. After it was over, she and her son went outside to see the damage. The first thing they saw was a beautiful double rainbow. It was so clear that you could see the color breaks in both rainbows. They relished in the rainbow for a few minutes and then started to call for their family to “come and see”. The little boy also knocked on the neighbors doors and told them to “come and see”. The neighbors all enjoyed the beautiful rainbow after the fury of the storm.
I feel like I can imagine the beautiful rainbow and calmness that came with it. The invitation to “come and see” struck me. Just like the rainbow, Christ’s promise for us to “come and see” carries so many blessings.
As I read the scriptures last night, I really thought about whether or not I would drop everything and follow the Savior. I am often caught up in my busy life. As I contemplated what the first apostles did, I was a little ashamed that I don’t do more to show my Savior that I am willing to following Him.
I made a list of what fills my nets. Looking at the list, I realize that I can cut back on some of my time consumers and use my time more wisely in following the Savior. Throughout the day today, I have felt the quiet promptings of the Holy Ghost. I have a tendency to complain about certain people and every time I found myself starting to think bad thoughts today, I was reminded that they have some great qualities. I was able to see those qualities easier when I took time to listen. I have also found that as I turned off my music today and really thought about the Savior, I have felt His presence.
I’m struggling with a particular answer to a problem and today I have found that, while the problem is still there, I am able to brainstorm possibilities of what I should do and how I should handle the situation. Just like the rainbow appeared after the storm, I know that Heavenly Father and my Savior will bless me with answer to this problem.
I hope that as you “come and see” that you will find your own beautiful rainbow.
If with all your hearts ye truly seek me,
Ye shall ever surely find me.
-Children’s Songbook, 15
In this opening chapter, the author talks about an invitation that her sister received one day in the mail. A box was delivered to her house from a friend. The box contained four items: a nutcracker, two round-trip airline tickets to San Francisco, a gift certificate for a hotel and an invitation to a Christmas party that was to last all weekend. I would love to have a friend like that. The author liked this invitation so much because it contained a treasure (the Nutcracker), a journey (this airline tickets and hotel stay) and a celebration (the party).
Emily Freeman, the author, wrote this book with those three things in mind. Her invitation definitely got my attention and just as she was excited about the above invitation, I am excited about her invitation to me.
The invitation is for all who read her book to take a journey and come to know the Savior, Jesus Christ and how He works in our daily lives. We are invited to see the hand of the Lord each day.
Throughout the book, which is filled with many different invitations, everyone should start seeing treasures that will make the journey more meaningful. I have read the book all the way through and have already started finding these treasures. One such treasure is the desire I have to draw closer to my Savior and really know Him and what He has done for me. I have a desire to better understand and apply His Atonement in my life. I’m excited as I embark on this journey to better understand Jesus Christ’s role in my life.
The celebration should come as challenges are met and as you realize those moments that are meaningful to you and help you draw closer to Christ. I think the whole book will be a celebration for me.
I am excited to see the changes that will take place in me. I’m grateful that I can keep track of them through this blog. I hope that you will share your thoughts and experiences with me as well. This will be a wonderful journey. I’m going to choose to do the challenges daily. I want to do it this way so that I can have this journey completed by Easter. If you want to do the same, then you must start no later than March 14, 2010. Starting on the 14th will allow you to finish Easter Eve. I will be posting each day that I do a challenge. If you are joining, make sure to read all of the entries. I hope that you will join me in this journey.
“You are embarking on
something which is going to
take the whole of you.”
-C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity, 78
I was in Deseret Book a few days ago looking for a book for a friend when my eye was drawn to a book called 21 Days Closer to Christ. It is written by Emily Freeman and has paintings by Simon Dewey. I didn’t immediately pick up the book. I walked by it 4 or 5 times. I don’t know why I was drawn to the book. It was on the bottom shelf and yet, I felt the need to look at it. I finally just sat down in the isle and pulled the book off the shelf. I started to read a few pages and I was hooked. I feel that Heavenly Father was trying to tell me something. I walked out of the store that day with a book that has already started changing my life.
I delved into the book that very night. I stayed up way too late just to read ‘one more chapter’. It really is an amazing book. The point of the book is exactly what the title says - 21 Days Closer to Christ. I've finished reading the book and can't get a thought out of my head. I'm doing the challenge and I keep feeling that I need to document my changes as well as invite others to accept the challenge. Thus, I have started this blog.
My goal in having this blog is to share a little bit about myself and the wonderful journey I am embarking on. If you would like to join in the journey, I would invite you to do so. Leave your comments and your thoughts. Tell me about your experiences or special moments. Heaven knows we can all use a little more uplifting in this world.
The author, Emily Freeman, shares many personal experiences and stories in the book. At the end of each chapter (numbered by what day you should be on), she shares an invitation (challenge) and a journey (a treasure or an experience). At the end of the book she shares a celebration. I will be using her invitations and journeys as ways to share with you.
I hope that as we go through this journey together, we can all be uplifted and edified and find ourselves closer to Christ.
