My Sunday thoughts today have to do with two things that I have been thinking about/wanting to do for some time, but only finally began during the last week or so.
1. At last year's Women's Conference at BYU, Sister Beck challenged us to buy a new copy of the Book of Mormon and write these questions in the front:
Shortly after the conference, I bought the new copy, but that's as far as it went. It's been sitting in the basket of books under my side table, mocking me. This week, I finally got it out and wrote in the front. I started reading the book anew, with a pretty little notebook at hand (thanks, Patsy!).
The first night of reading, I didn't get past the first verse! I was looking up cross-references and writing in my notebook. This is a new way of studying the scriptures for me (I'm normally more of just a reader, I guess), and I am already finding answers and being blessed by following her counsel. Why did I wait so long?
2. I have committed to going to the temple once a month this year. On Wednesday, I realized that the month was fast coming to a close, and that Friday would be the only day I would have to keep my commitment.
Last year when Eva was in preschool, I went to the temple one day and was quite late picking her up, so I have been hesitant to try again now that she is in kindergarten. I changed into my Sunday clothes so that I could drive to the Provo temple as soon as I dropped her off at school. I followed a huge group of missionaries from the MTC into the temple, and just seeing them all and hearing the elders sing a hymn as they walked totally lifted my spirits.
I went in and discovered that a session was starting in 20 minutes, perfect timing! When I later left the temple and drove back to the school for afternoon pick-up, I pulled into the parking lot exactly at 3:30, when school gets out. I had just enough time, to the minute! This is a very happy discovery.
This week definitely had its challenges, but it was a good week as well. I know that I am blessed and strengthened when I focus on what is truly essential.
8 comments:
I'm so excited that your temple outing worked out so well for you so that you can do this monthly without major stress, what a blessing!
Kudos to you for taking Sister Beck's advice and starting to study the scriptures that way.
When I am really focused spiritually I feel like everything is possible and like that is all I should ever be focusing on. But when my focus shifts away from it to more natural-man type tendencies everything feels overwhelming...clearly I know where my focus should be!
Good for you! Don't forget about initiatories--in and out of the temple in an hour! Great for those days when you want to serve and only have a little time. I love initiatories (and not just because they're fast)! They are so personal and lovely.
This is just the inspiration i needed to start a new week!
I love it!
and I love that you are using the notebook I sent you--
I was going to suggest initiatory for days when you are short on time. I do initiatory with my grandma twice a month and I love it!
What fun to follow a singing band of missionaries into the temple. Their enthusiasm, desire, and energy can't be beat.
I am jealous (in a good way, I think) of your proximity to the temple. I haven't been to ours since we moved here because there are so many hurdles! I have a goal for this summer though.
I think that idea of reading the BoM in such a specific context is a wonderful idea. I did that a couple years ago but reading it in conjunction with my patriarchal blessing. Josh and I try to go to the temple once a month as well. I want to really take advantage of the kid-less time we have to regularly attend the temple.
It really is amazing how focusing on the essential enables us to accomplish so much else.
My heart sings in having a righteous daughter. I love you.
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