Good Works Value Experience #1

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.

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.

Divine Nature Value Experience 2

As a young woman you are blessed with divine feminine qualities. Increase your understanding of and appreciation for womanhood. Read Proverbs 31:10-31 and two talks on womanhood from a conference issue of the Church magazines. Review what "The Family: A Proclamation to the World" says about being a wife and a mother. Then ask your mother or another mother you admire what she thinks are important attributes for being a mother. List the attributes in your journal. Then choose one of those attributes and strive to develop it. After two weeks report your success to a parent or leader.

I chose to read A "Mother Heart" by Julie B. Beck and Mothers and Daughters by M. Russell Ballard. I actually asked opinions of my Facebook friends what they thought were important attributes for a mother to have. I also asked my sisters (it's great having three of them) lessons they really learned from Mom. Friends listed the following attributes: patience, a sense of humor, unconditional love, organization, prioritizing (time, stuff, kids, activities), selflessness, multi-tasker, a strong testimony, and from our very funny RS President, children. My sisters talked about some I've mentioned before: If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all; If you don't like this stage, wait two weeks or a month, it will be something different; Everybody plays or nobody plays; I'm raising young ladies! and a few more timeless gems.

Although Robin's answer of "children" was funny to me, it made me pause and really think about how blessed I am to have four wonderful children. I have concentrated more on being grateful for each of their personalities and I have realized something in the last two weeks. In the stresses of life, I think I lost a lot of the sense of humor I, as a mother, need to have. Not that I'm a complete stick in the mud, but I think my children think I am a lot more stern sometimes than I really am and I've realized that it is probably because I don't laugh sometimes when I need to. A funny thing is happening as I remember to lighten up, I FEEL lighter too! Didn't realize loosing a sense of humor was a burden on my shoulders. Sometimes you don't realize what you had until it is almost gone ;)

Although there are many of the other important attributes for mothers I still need to work on, right now I am concentrating on loving my children for who they are and who they are becoming and laughing with them a lot more than they are used to. It feels great.

I love Elder Ballard's words, "Sisters, we, your brethren, cannot do what you were divinely designated to do from before the foundation of the world. We may try, but we cannot ever hope to replicate your unique gifts. There is nothing in this world as personal, as nurturing, or as life changing as the influence of a righteous woman." He also says, "As Ralph Waldo Emerson is believed to have said, 'What you do speaks so loud that I cannot hear what you say' (see Ralph Keyes, The Quote Verifier [2006], 56)."

I don't often get stressed about major events in our lives. I know the Lord will take care of it and everything will work out. But I realized my stress at home when life is crazy and there are a million things going on at once and everyone needs to talk to me about it at once was setting a poor example to my children. How will they ever learn to think about their future family life with joy if they can't see my joy in our family life? I'm pretty sure those stressful afternoons will often speak more loudly than a lot of the fun, stress-free experiences we also have. So. . .I work to change, and laugh a little more at the same time.

For the Strength of Youth Standard 2: Gratitude

Read about this standard here. Live with a spirit of gratitude.

This week it is hard to focus on gratitude and not on things I wish I could buy. What is it about not having money that makes you want to buy, buy, buy? Maybe not everyone, but I find myself that way. I'm not even a real shopaholic.

Despite the stress of our financial situation, I am happy, and so grateful to be here at school. The kids have been tried and are growing because of it. So are Dave and I. I am grateful for our health too. So far, we have escaped serious injury or illness.

I am particularly grateful for my children. Who they are and who they are becoming. I love each of their personalities. Some days are hard, especially when they are grumpy (or I'm grumpy) or defiant and having a hard time getting along. But I know that even though some days are hard, I'm glad their personalities are strong enough to defend themselves and ask questions when they don't understand and see injustice. My prayer for them is the same as for each of us. That we will someday recognize our potential and have a desire to work towards it AND realize we have the strength to do so.