Learn why service is a fundamental principle of the gospel. Read Matthew 5:13-16; 25:34-40; Galatians 6:9-10; James 1:22-27; Mosiah 2:17; 4:26; and 3 Nephi 13:1-4. Others often give service you may not notice, such as preparing meals, reading to or listening to younger children, repairing clothing, or helping a brother or sister. For two weeks record in your journal the quiet acts of service your family members and others perform. Acknowledge their service in some meaningful way.
Service is a fundamental principle of the gospel because, as stated in James 1:27, "Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this. . ." to give service! To keep in mind and give aid to those who are in need of the love and service we can give.
I can think of no better way for us to come to have some small understanding (even though it cannot be compared equally) as to how Christ and the Father can love us, even with all of our shortcomings. How Christ could suffer for everything we have or will suffer.
When Christ was born on the earth, he had his mission revealed to him line upon line; piece by piece. The veil had also been placed over him. I do not know if as he learned of His divine mission the veil was lifted enough that he remembered me personally, or if he simply knew I was worth it, because he knew that at some point, He knew I was worth it enough to promise to fulfill what had to be done in order for me to return to our Heavenly Father. But I know He did it, regardless. How incredible is that?!!
The only way that we get a sense-or the best way we get a sense of how important each one of us is as a child of God is to serve one another. We cannot serve everyone in the world, but as we get to know others and learn THEIR story, we cannot help but love them, and this miraculous thing happens along the way too. We realize that He must love us with all of our idiosyncrasies as well!
This is one of the reasons that families are so vital also. It is within the family unit that we first learn to love and to serve.
Friday, May 13, 2011
Knowledge Value Experience #2
In your journal list talents you have and others you would like to develop. Read Matthew 25:14-30. Learn a new skill or talent that will help you care for your own future family or home (for example, playing the piano, singing, budgeting, time management, cooking, sewing, or child care). Share with your family, class, or Young Women leader what you have learned.
Sometimes it is really hard to think about all of the talents you may have. It is even harder to write them down, particularly in such a public place. A couple that I have come to be very comfortable with are playing the piano and public speaking.
Talents I would like to develop: a better piano teacher, patience amid the chaos (eye of the storm), a better all-around teacher, and preparing healthier meals and eating healthier myself.
One of Abbie's friends asked me several months ago if I would teach her to play the piano. Although Dave and I have discussed my teaching piano on occasion, I've never felt like my knowledge was adequate enough to justify making people pay me. When Rachel asked me personally if I would teach her, I accepted, feeling as though I could certainly help a beginning student get a good start.
She has been taking for about seven months and I have found it more rewarding that I expected. I have been able to fine tune my teaching and have grown comfortable enough that I am now taking on additional beginning students. It has become an unexpected blessing in my life, as well as a little financial boost to our family's life.
Sometimes it is really hard to think about all of the talents you may have. It is even harder to write them down, particularly in such a public place. A couple that I have come to be very comfortable with are playing the piano and public speaking.
Talents I would like to develop: a better piano teacher, patience amid the chaos (eye of the storm), a better all-around teacher, and preparing healthier meals and eating healthier myself.
One of Abbie's friends asked me several months ago if I would teach her to play the piano. Although Dave and I have discussed my teaching piano on occasion, I've never felt like my knowledge was adequate enough to justify making people pay me. When Rachel asked me personally if I would teach her, I accepted, feeling as though I could certainly help a beginning student get a good start.
She has been taking for about seven months and I have found it more rewarding that I expected. I have been able to fine tune my teaching and have grown comfortable enough that I am now taking on additional beginning students. It has become an unexpected blessing in my life, as well as a little financial boost to our family's life.
Knowledge Value Experience #1
Learn about the importance of gaining knowledge by reading Proverbs 1:5; 4:7; 2 Nephi 28:30; and Doctrine and Covenants 88:78-80, 118; 90:15; 130:18-19; 131:6. Think about why you need to gain knowledge and understanding about how to apply gospel principles to your present and future home and family life. Write in your journal what you have learned about knowledge, and discuss it with a family member or Young Women leader.
It is important for us to gain knowledge. God wants us to. These scriptures make it very evident. As we gain knowledge, we do receive further knowledge that helps us to magnify the callings we have been given. The most important calling I will ever have on this earth is as a mother.
In order to prepare my children for life in this world, to be given the greatest advantages in this life, they need to feel successful in their schooling, so they can appreciate and enjoy learning. I know this doesn't mean that everyone excels and is the top of their class. It means feeling successful in their own personal learning, whatever level they may be at.
Most importantly, I believe my greatest calling with regards to my children, is that they have a testimony of who they are and where they came from. The truths that are held in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Whatever successes or disappointments they face, a deep and abiding testimony will guide them through it all.
It is important for us to gain knowledge. God wants us to. These scriptures make it very evident. As we gain knowledge, we do receive further knowledge that helps us to magnify the callings we have been given. The most important calling I will ever have on this earth is as a mother.
In order to prepare my children for life in this world, to be given the greatest advantages in this life, they need to feel successful in their schooling, so they can appreciate and enjoy learning. I know this doesn't mean that everyone excels and is the top of their class. It means feeling successful in their own personal learning, whatever level they may be at.
Most importantly, I believe my greatest calling with regards to my children, is that they have a testimony of who they are and where they came from. The truths that are held in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Whatever successes or disappointments they face, a deep and abiding testimony will guide them through it all.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Choice and Accountability Project
Again, for some reason I never recorded this. . .Project was completed in January of 2010.
Project:
To create a 2010 calendar for the YW of our Ward. Hopefully they can use it to be more organized which can help them make betters choices in their lives. (This was a request for me from our YW President)
Plan to carry out:
1. Gathering dates of importance from stake, ward, and school calendars.
2. Gathering pictures of each of the YW and leaders for their birth date.
3. Compiling all information, designing the calendar.
4. Printing and distributing.
Evaluation:
The YW are busy! I don't know how many of them use the calendar, but I know I am better organized as their advisor. I can easily pull out my calendar to check on birthdays, conducting info and future planning. It has made me more aware of the choices that our youth are facing. I pray for strength for them.
It also helps me to see where I need to be accountable for my responsibilities.
Project:
To create a 2010 calendar for the YW of our Ward. Hopefully they can use it to be more organized which can help them make betters choices in their lives. (This was a request for me from our YW President)
Plan to carry out:
1. Gathering dates of importance from stake, ward, and school calendars.
2. Gathering pictures of each of the YW and leaders for their birth date.
3. Compiling all information, designing the calendar.
4. Printing and distributing.
Evaluation:
The YW are busy! I don't know how many of them use the calendar, but I know I am better organized as their advisor. I can easily pull out my calendar to check on birthdays, conducting info and future planning. It has made me more aware of the choices that our youth are facing. I pray for strength for them.
It also helps me to see where I need to be accountable for my responsibilities.
Faith Project
(As I've been creating a link list this morning in order to link directly to completed experiences, I realized that I never recorded my Faith project. I didn't even record the date in my PP book, maybe because this is really an ongoing thing, but I know I began this venture more than a year ago.)
Project:
For my Faith project, I decided to start a blog and continue it throughout my doing Personal Progress. Writing helps me clarify a lot of what I am learning and I like being able to tag subjects to go back and study similar topics at another time.
Plan to carry out:
1. Choose a blog name and format/design site.
2. Begin recording experiences from PP.
Evaluation:
I have realized that as I write, the things that I learn are clarified in my mind and solidified in my heart, and I know my testimony is growing and being strengthened as I do this. Although I started this blog for myself, I believe it will be of great value to Abbie when she becomes YW age. I look forward to having an active role in helping her with her PP when the time is right.
Project:
For my Faith project, I decided to start a blog and continue it throughout my doing Personal Progress. Writing helps me clarify a lot of what I am learning and I like being able to tag subjects to go back and study similar topics at another time.
Plan to carry out:
1. Choose a blog name and format/design site.
2. Begin recording experiences from PP.
Evaluation:
I have realized that as I write, the things that I learn are clarified in my mind and solidified in my heart, and I know my testimony is growing and being strengthened as I do this. Although I started this blog for myself, I believe it will be of great value to Abbie when she becomes YW age. I look forward to having an active role in helping her with her PP when the time is right.
Individual Worth Value Experience #3
Read Doctrine and Covenants 18:10 and 121:45. Do all you can to build others and make them feel of worth. Every day for two weeks notice the worthwhile qualities and attributes of others. Acknowledge them verbally or in writing. In your journal write what you have learned about the worth of individuals and how your own confidence grows when you build others.
I wanted to keep track of what I noticed in others and how I acknowledged those things. I tried to make note each day by using the journal feature in the online Personal Progress site.
One of the things that really stuck with me was the experience's use of the phrase 'building others up.' I became very aware of how frequently we tend to tear each other down, instead of building up. I particularly became sensitive to it within our family. There are often words used, meant to be teasing, but in reality, are mean things just said with a teasing voice.
I even challenged our family at one point to see if they could go eight hours without saying anything negative about anyone or to anyone. They did it! Sadly, I thought it would be quite hard for some of them, but I'm grateful to know that maybe that behavior isn't as ingrained a habit as I thought it was.
My prayer is that we can learn to have humor and good natured teasing in our home without the words that will tear one another down. I know that I cannot make anyone else change just because I want them to, but I pray that as I am more aware of things I say and how I say them, that it will effect change in all of us.
I wanted to keep track of what I noticed in others and how I acknowledged those things. I tried to make note each day by using the journal feature in the online Personal Progress site.
One of the things that really stuck with me was the experience's use of the phrase 'building others up.' I became very aware of how frequently we tend to tear each other down, instead of building up. I particularly became sensitive to it within our family. There are often words used, meant to be teasing, but in reality, are mean things just said with a teasing voice.
I even challenged our family at one point to see if they could go eight hours without saying anything negative about anyone or to anyone. They did it! Sadly, I thought it would be quite hard for some of them, but I'm grateful to know that maybe that behavior isn't as ingrained a habit as I thought it was.
My prayer is that we can learn to have humor and good natured teasing in our home without the words that will tear one another down. I know that I cannot make anyone else change just because I want them to, but I pray that as I am more aware of things I say and how I say them, that it will effect change in all of us.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Virtue Value Experience #4
Because the Savior loves you and has given His life for you, you can repent. Repentance is an act of faith in Jesus Christ. Read Moroni 10:32-33, the book of Enos, and the section on repentance in For the Strength of Youth. The Savior's atoning sacrifice has made it possible for you to be forgiven of your sins. Read the sacrament prayers in Doctrine and Covenants 20:77, 79. Determine to partake worthily of the sacrament each week and fill your life with virtuous activities that will bring spiritual power. As you do this, you will grow stronger in your ability to resist temptation, keep the commandments, and become more like Jesus Christ. Determine what you can do daily to remain pure and worthy, and write your plan in your journal.
I am touched by Enos. Obviously he had incredible faith as he wrestled with the Spirit and was forgiven of his sins. I remembered that he then prayed for his brethren.
I had never before been struck however, about his prayers that the Nephite records would someday be brought to the Lamanites, so that they might also be saved. Enos did not live to see that prayer answered, but we have seen it. Not only later in the Book of Mormon, but also through the efforts of latter-day missionaries.
As part of fulfilling this value experience, I re-commit myself to setting aside time each day to study the scriptures. I became too lax over the summer and the bad habit has spilled over. From experience, I already know that regular scripture study helps me resist temptation and keep the commandments. I also know that I more easily recognize the whisperings of the Spirit in my daily life.
I am touched by Enos. Obviously he had incredible faith as he wrestled with the Spirit and was forgiven of his sins. I remembered that he then prayed for his brethren.
I had never before been struck however, about his prayers that the Nephite records would someday be brought to the Lamanites, so that they might also be saved. Enos did not live to see that prayer answered, but we have seen it. Not only later in the Book of Mormon, but also through the efforts of latter-day missionaries.
As part of fulfilling this value experience, I re-commit myself to setting aside time each day to study the scriptures. I became too lax over the summer and the bad habit has spilled over. From experience, I already know that regular scripture study helps me resist temptation and keep the commandments. I also know that I more easily recognize the whisperings of the Spirit in my daily life.
Individual Worth Value Experience #1
You are a daughter of Heavenly Father, who knows you and loves you. Read Psalm 8:4-6; Jeremiah 1:5; John 13:34; Doctrine and Covenants 18:10; Abraham 3:22-23; Joseph Smith-History 1:1-20. Write in your journal how these scriptures teach you that Heavenly Father knows you, loves you, and is mindful of you.
(Original journal record is on May 12, 2010-no idea how I never posted it before!)
I have had experiences in my life while reading a particular scripture, I was hit with such force and clarity that prayers were answered, undeniably. That this is possible and to have feelings of love from Heavenly Father as I study is evidence to me that He loves me, knows me, and is mindful of me, and the things I face.
These scriptures are beautiful reminders that He loves each of us, knows each of us.
(Original journal record is on May 12, 2010-no idea how I never posted it before!)
I have had experiences in my life while reading a particular scripture, I was hit with such force and clarity that prayers were answered, undeniably. That this is possible and to have feelings of love from Heavenly Father as I study is evidence to me that He loves me, knows me, and is mindful of me, and the things I face.
These scriptures are beautiful reminders that He loves each of us, knows each of us.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
