Care for Yourself First

In our world, there are many evils. There are many in need, and there are many who believe following Christ means always putting those in need before themselves. These people end up giving so much of themselves that they forget to take care of the most important thing that allows them to do their service: their own body.

Many people have heard the cliche, "If you don't have your health, you have nothing". And if you haven't, heard this, you can most likely understand the intent. When one is in poor health, there is little they can do that does not take its toll on their stamina, and eventually their spirit. Think about when you have the flu. Are you physically able to bring help to those in need? Maybe you can write a sweet letter, or call someone in need of support. But if you have a high fever, or a cough, or sneezing fits, it is unlikely that you are wanting to get a family sick by bringing them a meal or working in their yard. 

The Lord asks us to be servant minded. He wants us to be ever sharing our blessings and talents with others. But we can not give all of what the Lord asks of us if we are not caring for ourselves.

I have learned this the hard way. When I was in high school, I was so focused on what others were doing or what they needed that I forgot to take care of myself. I wasn't getting enough sleep, I wasn't necessarily eating badly but it wasn't great, and I was trying to balance too much. I was over burdened and under prepared. Now, I was able to touch many lives, and I wouldn't trade that for anything. But the one regret I have is that I wasn't good about maintaining my own health and I reaped what I had sewn. I had headaches and I tended towards being more susceptible to illness.

Currently, my desire to change my bad habits have truly started to make a difference. I have a while to go before I'm back to where I am as strong as I was, but they are improving. I have found that when I am feeling better, not only am I better prepared to live my life for the Lord, but I am better able to follow the Spirit and truly notice and enjoy the blessings the Lord gives me. 

My next challenge for those who read this blog is to work on your personal life. Work on improving your health, building your strength, reading the Word, and spending personal time with the Lord. Once you are on track with your own self, everything else will start to fall into place. 

I will help you along the way by starting a new series of ideas that I have personally found effective in improving my physical as well as my spiritual health. 

I hope that through this, I can help at least one person start to feel better and feel closer to the Lord.

"And all saints who remember to keep and do these sayings, walking in obedience to the commandments, shall receive health in their navel and marrow in their bones;"

Doctrine and Covenants 89:18

Where Love Is, God Is

Where Love Is, God Is

by Leo Tolstoy

IN A CERTAIN TOWN there lived a cobbler, Martin Avdéiteh by name. He had a tiny room in a basement, the one window of which looked out on to the street. Through it one could only see the feet of those who passed by, but Martin recognized the people by their boots. He had lived long in the place and had many acquaintances. There was hardly a pair of boots in the neighbourhood that had not been once or twice through his hands, so he often saw his own handiwork through the window. Some he had re-soled, some patched, some stitched up, and to some he had even put fresh uppers. He had plenty to do, for he worked well, used good material, did not charge too much, and could be relied on. If he could do a job by the day required, he undertook it; if not, he told the truth and gave no false promises; so he was well known and never short of work.

Martin had always been a good man; but in his old age he began to think more about his soul and to draw nearer to God. While he still worked for a master, before he set up on his own account, his wife had died, leaving him with a three-year old son. None of his elder children had lived, they had all died in infancy. At first Martin thought of sending his little son to his sister's in the country, but then he felt sorry to part with the boy, thinking: 'It would be hard for my little Kapitón to have to grow up in a strange family; I will keep him with me.'

Martin left his master and went into lodgings with his little son. But he had no luck with his children. No sooner had the boy reached an age when he could help his father and be a support as well as a joy to him, than he fell ill and, after being laid up for a week with a burning fever, died. Martin buried his son, and gave way to despair so great and overwhelming that he murmured against God. In his sorrow he prayed again and again that he too might die, reproaching God for having taken the son he loved, his only son while he, old as he was, remained alive. After that Martin left off going to church.

One day an old man from Martin's native village who had been a pilgrim for the last eight years, called in on his way from Tróitsa Monastery. Martin opened his heart to him, and told him of his sorrow.

'I no longer even wish to live, holy man,' he said. 'All I ask of God is that I soon may die. I am now quite without hope in the world.'

The old man replied: 'You have no right to say such things, Martin. We cannot judge God's ways. Not our reasoning, but God's will, decides. If God willed that your son should die and you should live, it must be best so. As to your despair -- that comes because you wish to live for your own happiness.'

'What else should one live for?' asked Martin.

'For God, Martin,' said the old man. 'He gives you life, and you must live for Him. When you have learnt to live for Him, you will grieve no more, and all will seem easy to you.'

Martin was silent awhile, and then asked: 'But how is one to live for God?'

The old man answered: 'How one may live for God has been shown us by Christ. Can you read? Then buy the Gospels, and read them: there you will see how God would have you live. You have it all there.'

These words sank deep into Martin's heart, and that same day he went and bought himself a Testament in large print, and began to read.

At first he meant only to read on holidays, but having once begun he found it made his heart so light that he read every day. Sometimes he was so absorbed in his reading that the oil in his lamp burnt out before he could tear himself away from the book. He continued to read every night, and the more he read the more clearly he understood what God required of him, and how he might live for God. And his heart grew lighter and lighter. Before, when he went to bed he used to lie with a heavy heart, moaning as he thought of his little Kapitón; but now he only repeated again and again: 'Glory to Thee, glory to Thee, O Lord! Thy will be done!'

From that time Martin's whole life changed. Formerly, on holidays he used to go and have tea at the public house, and did not even refuse a glass or two of vódka. Sometimes, after having had a drop with a friend, he left the public house not drunk, but rather merry, and would say foolish things: shout at a man, or abuse him. Now, all that sort of thing passed away from him. His life became peaceful and joyful. He sat down to his work in the morning, and when he had finished his day's work he took the lamp down from the wall, stood it on the table, fetched his book from the shelf, opened it, and sat down to read. The more he read the better he understood, and the clearer and happier he felt in his mind.

It happened once that Martin sat up late, absorbed in his book. He was reading Luke's Gospel; and in the sixth chapter he came upon the verses:

'To him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and from him that taketh away thy cloke withhold not thy coat also. Give to every man that asketh thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again. And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.'

He also read the verses where our Lord says:

'And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like: He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock. But he that heareth and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth, against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.'

When Martin read these words his soul was glad within him. He took off his spectacles and laid them on the book, and leaning his elbows on the table pondered over what he had read. He tried his own life by the standard of those words, asking himself:

'Is my house built on the rock, or on sand? If it stands on the rock, it is well. It seems easy enough while one sits here alone, and one thinks one has done all that God commands; but as soon as I cease to be on my guard, I sin again. Still I will persevere. It brings such joy. Help me, O Lord!'

He thought all this, and was about to go to bed, but was loth to leave his book. So he went on reading the seventh chapter -- about the centurion, the widow's son, and the answer to John's disciples -- and he came to the part where a rich Pharisee invited the Lord to his house; and he read how the woman who was a sinner, anointed his feet and washed them with her tears, and how he justified her. Coming to the forty-fourth verse, he read:

'And turning to the woman, he said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath wetted my feet with her tears, and wiped them with her hair. Thou gavest me no kiss; but she, since the time I came in, hath not ceased to kiss my feet. My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but she hath anointed my feet with ointment.'

He read these verses and thought: 'He gave no water for his feet, gave no kiss, his head with oil he did not anoint. . . .' And Martin took off his spectacles once more, laid them on his book, and pondered.

'He must have been like me, that Pharisee. He too thought only of himself -- how to get a cup of tea, how to keep warm and comfortable; never a thought of his guest. He took care of himself, but for his guest he cared nothing at all. Yet who was the guest? The Lord himself! If he came to me, should I behave like that?'

Then Martin laid his head upon both his arms and, before he was aware of it, he fell asleep.

'Martin!' he suddenly heard a voice, as if some one had breathed the word above his ear.

He started from his sleep. 'Who's there?' he asked.

He turned round and looked at the door; no one was there. He called again. Then he heard quite distinctly: 'Martin, Martin! Look out into the street to-morrow, for I shall come.'

Martin roused himself, rose from his chair and rubbed his eyes, but did not know whether he had heard these words in a dream or awake. He put out the lamp and lay down to sleep.

Next morning he rose before daylight, and after saying his prayers he lit the fire and prepared his cabbage soup and buckwheat porridge. Then he lit the samovár, put on his apron, and sat down by the window to his work. As he sat working Martin thought over what had happened the night before. At times it seemed to him like a dream, and at times he thought that he had really heard the voice. 'Such things have happened before now,' thought he.

So he sat by the window, looking out into the street more than he worked, and whenever any one passed in unfamiliar boots he would stoop and look up, so as to see not the feet only but the face of the passer-by as well. A house-porter passed in new felt boots; then a water-carrier. Presently an old soldier of Nicholas' reign came near the window spade in hand. Martin knew him by his boots, which were shabby old felt ones, goloshed with leather. The old man was called Stepániteh: a neighbouring tradesman kept him in his house for charity, and his duty was to help the house-porter. He began to clear away the snow before Martin's window. Martin glanced at him and then went on with his work.

'I must be growing crazy with age,' said Martin, laughing at his fancy. 'Stepánitch comes to clear away the snow, and I must needs imagine it's Christ coming to visit me. Old dotard that I am!'

Yet after he had made a dozen stitches he felt drawn to look out of the window again. He saw that Stepánitch had leaned his spade against the wall, and was either resting himself or trying to get warm. The man was old and broken down, and had evidently not enough strength even to clear away the snow.

'What if I called him in and gave him some tea?' thought Martin. 'The samovár is just on the boil.'

He stuck his awl in its place, and rose; and putting the samovár on the table, made tea. Then he tapped the window with his fingers. Stepánitch turned and came to the window. Martin beckoned to him to come in, and went himself to open the door.

'Come in,' he said, 'and warm yourself a bit. I'm sure you must be cold.'

'May God bless you!' Stepánitch answered. 'My bones do ache to be sure.' He came in, first shaking off the snow, and lest he should leave marks on the floor he began wiping his feet; but as he did so he tottered and nearly fell.

'Don't trouble to wipe your feet,' said Martin 'I'll wipe up the floor -- it's all in the day's work. Come, friend, sit down and have some tea.'

Filling two tumblers, he passed one to his visitor, and pouring his own out into the saucer, began to blow on it.

Stepániteh emptied his glass, and, turning it upside down, put the remains of his piece of sugar on the top. He began to express his thanks, but it was plain that he would be glad of some more.

'Have another glass,' said Martin, refilling the visitor's tumbler and his own. But while he drank his tea Martin kept looking out into the street.

'Are you expecting any one?' asked the visitor.

'Am I expecting any one? Well, now, I'm ashamed to tell you. It isn't that I really expect any one; but I heard something last night which I can't get out of my mind Whether it was a vision, or only a fancy, I can't tell. You see, friend, last night I was reading the Gospel, about Christ the Lord, how he suffered, and how he walked on earth. You have heard tell of it, I dare say.'

'I have heard tell of it,' answered Stepánitch; 'but I'm an ignorant man and not able to read.'

'Well, you see, I was reading of how he walked on earth. I came to that part, you know, where he went to a Pharisee who did not receive him well. Well, friend, as I read about it, I thought now that man did not receive Christ the Lord with proper honour. Suppose such a thing could happen to such a man as myself, I thought, what would I not do to receive him! But that man gave him no reception at all. Well, friend, as I was thinking of this, I began to doze, and as I dozed I heard some one call me by name. I got up, and thought I heard some one whispering, "Expect me; I will come to-morrow." This happened twice over. And to tell you the truth, it sank so into my mind that, though I am ashamed of it myself, I keep on expecting him, the dear Lord!'

Stepánitch shook his head in silence, finished his tumbler and laid it on its side; but Martin stood it up again and refilled it for him.

'Here drink another glass, bless you! And I was thinking too, how he walked on earth and despised no one, but went mostly among common folk. He went with plain people, and chose his disciples from among the likes of us, from workmen like us, sinners that we are. "He who raises himself," he said, "shall be humbled and he who humbles himself shall be raised." "You call me Lord," he said, "and I will wash your feet." "He who would be first," he said, "let him be the servant of all; because," he said, "blessed are the poor, the humble, the meek, and the merciful."'

Stepánitch forgot his tea. He was an old man easily moved to tears, and as he sat and listened the tears ran down his cheeks.

'Come, drink some more,' said Martin. But Stepánitch crossed himself, thanked him, moved away his tumbler, and rose.

'Thank you, Martin Avdéitch,' he said, 'you have given me food and comfort both for soul and body.'

'You're very welcome. Come again another time. I am glad to have a guest,' said Martin.

Stepánitch went away; and Martin poured out the last of the tea and drank it up. Then he put away the tea things and sat down to his work, stitching the back seam of a boot. And as he stitched he kept looking out of the window, waiting for Christ, and thinking about him and his doings. And his head was full of Christ's sayings.

Two soldiers went by: one in Government boots the other in boots of his own; then the master of a neighbouring house, in shining goloshes; then a baker carrying a basket. All these passed on. Then a woman came up in worsted stockings and peasant-made shoes. She passed the window, but stopped by the wall. Martin glanced up at her through the window, and saw that she was a stranger, poorly dressed, and with a baby in her arms. She stopped by the wall with her back to the wind, trying to wrap the baby up though she had hardly anything to wrap it in. The woman had only summer clothes on, and even they were shabby and worn. Through the window Martin heard the baby crying, and the woman trying to soothe it, but unable to do so. Martin rose and going out of the door and up the steps he called to her.

'My dear, I say, my dear!' The woman heard, and turned round.

'Why do you stand out there with the baby in the cold? Come inside. You can wrap him up better in a warm place. Come this way!'

The woman was surprised to see an old man in an apron, with spectacles on his nose, calling to her, but she followed him in.

They went down the steps, entered the little room, and the old man led her to the bed.

'There, sit down, my dear, near the stove. Warm yourself, and feed the baby.'

'Haven't any milk. I have eaten nothing myself since early morning,' said the woman, but still she took the baby to her breast.

Martin shook his head. He brought out a basin and some bread. Then he opened the oven door and poured some cabbage soup into the basin. He took out the porridge pot also but the porridge was not yet ready, so he spread a cloth on the table and served only the soup and bread.

'Sit down and eat, my dear, and I'll mind the baby. Why, bless me, I've had children of my own; I know how to manage them.'

The woman crossed herself, and sitting down at the table began to eat, while Martin put the baby on the bed and sat down by it. He chucked and chucked, but having no teeth he could not do it well and the baby continued to cry. Then Martin tried poking at him with his finger; he drove his finger straight at the baby's mouth and then quickly drew it back, and did this again and again. He did not let the baby take his finger in its mouth, because it was all black with cobbler's wax. But the baby first grew quiet watching the finger, and then began to laugh. And Martin felt quite pleased.

The woman sat eating and talking, and told him who she was, and where she had been.

'I'm a soldier's wife,' said she. 'They sent my husband somewhere, far away, eight months ago, and I have heard nothing of him since. I had a place as cook till my baby was born, but then they would not keep me with a child. For three months now I have been struggling, unable to find a place, and I've had to sell all I had for food. I tried to go as a wet-nurse, but no one would have me; they said I was too starved-looking and thin. Now I have just been to see a tradesman's wife (a woman from our village is in service with her) and she has promised to take me. I thought it was all settled at last, but she tells me not to come till next week. It is far to her place, and I am fagged out, and baby is quite starved, poor mite. Fortunately our landlady has pity on us, and lets us lodge free, else I don't know what we should do.'

Martin sighed. 'Haven't you any warmer clothing?' he asked.

'How could I get warm clothing?' said she. 'Why I pawned my last shawl for sixpence yesterday.'

Then the woman came and took the child, and Martin got up. He went and looked among some things that were hanging on the wall, and brought back an old cloak.

'Here,' he said, 'though it's a worn-out old thing, it will do to wrap him up in.'

The woman looked at the cloak, then at the old man, and taking it, burst into tears. Martin turned away, and groping under the bed brought out a small trunk. He fumbled about in it, and again sat down opposite the woman. And the woman said:

'The Lord bless you, friend. Surely Christ must have sent me to your window, else the child would have frozen. It was mild when I started, but now see how cold it has turned. Surely it must have been Christ who made you look out of your window and take pity on me, poor wretch!'

Martin smiled and said; 'It is quite true; it was he made me do it. It was no mere chance made me look out.'

And he told the woman his dream, and how he had heard the Lord's voice promising to visit him that day.

'Who knows? All things are possible,' said the woman. And she got up and threw the cloak over her shoulders, wrapping it round herself and round the baby. Then she bowed, and thanked Martin once more.

'Take this for Christ's sake,' said Martin, and gave her sixpence to get her shawl out of pawn. The woman crossed herself, and Martin did the same, and then he saw her out.

After the woman had gone, Martin ate some cabbage soup, cleared the things away, and sat down to work again. He sat and worked, but did not forget the window, and every time a shadow fell on it he looked up at once to see who was passing. People he knew and strangers passed by, but no one remarkable.

After a while Martin saw an apple-woman stop just in front of his window. She had a large basket, but there did not seem to be many apples left in it; she had evidently sold most of her stock. On her back she had a sack full of chips, which she was taking home. No doubt she had gathered them at some place where building was going on. The sack evidently hurt her, and she wanted to shift it from one shoulder to the other, so she put it down on the footpath and, placing her basket on a post, began to shake down the chips in the sack. While she was doing this a boy in a tattered cap ran up, snatched an apple out of the basket, and tried to slip away; but the old woman noticed it, and turning, caught the boy by his sleeve. He began to struggle, trying to free himself, but the old woman held on with both hands, knocked his cap off his head, and seized hold of his hair. The boy screamed and the old woman scolded. Martin dropped his awl, not waiting to stick it in its place, and rushed out of the door. Stumbling up the steps, and dropping his spectacles in his hurry, he ran out into the street. The old woman was pulling the boy's hair and scolding him, and threatening to take him to the police. The lad was struggling and protesting, saying, 'I did not take it. What are you beating me for? Let me go!'

Martin separated them. He took the boy by the hand and said, 'Let him go, Granny. Forgive him for Christ's sake.'

'I'll pay him out, so that he won't forget it for a year! I'll take the rascal to the police!' Martin began entreating the old woman.

'Let him go, Granny. He won't do it again. Let him go for Christ's sake!'

The old woman let go, and the boy wished to run away, but Martin stopped him

'Ask the Granny's forgiveness!' said he. 'And don't do it another time. I saw you take the apple.'

The boy began to cry and to beg pardon.

'That's right. And now here's an apple for you, and Martin took an apple from the basket and gave it to the boy, saying, 'I will pay you, Granny.'

'You will spoil them that way, the young rascals,' said the old woman. 'He ought to be whipped so that he should remember it for a week.'

'Oh, Granny, Granny,' said Martin, 'that's our way -- but it's not God's way. If he should be whipped for stealing an apple, what should be done to us for our sins?'

The old woman was silent.

And Martin told her the parable of the lord who forgave his servant a large debt, and how the servant went out and seized his debtor by the throat. The old woman listened to it all, and the boy, too, stood by and listened.

'God bids us forgive,' said Martin, 'or else we shall not be forgiven. Forgive every one; and a thoughtless youngster most of all.'

The old woman wagged her head and sighed.

'It's true enough,' said she, 'but they are getting terribly spoilt.'

'Then we old ones must show them better ways,' Martin replied.

'That's just what I say,' said the old woman. 'I have had seven of them myself, and only one daughter is left.' And the old woman began to tell how and where she was living with her daughter, and how many grandchildren she had. 'There now,' she said, 'I have but little strength left, yet I work hard for the sake of my grandchildren; and nice children they are, too. No one comes out to meet me but the children. Little Annie, now, won't leave me for any one. "It's grandmother, dear grandmother, darling grandmother."' And the old woman completely softened at the thought.

'Of course, it was only his childishness, God help him,' said she, referring to the boy.

As the old woman was about to hoist her sack on her back, the lad sprang forward to her, saying, 'Let me carry it for you, Granny. I'm going that way.'

The old woman nodded her head, and put the sack on the boy's back, and they went down the street together, the old woman quite forgetting to ask Martin to pay for the apple. Martin stood and watched them as they went along talking to each other.

When they were out of sight Martin went back to the house. Having found his spectacles unbroken on the steps, he picked up his awl and sat down again to work. He worked a little, but could soon not see to pass the bristle through the holes in the leather; and presently he noticed the lamplighter passing on his way to light the street lamps.

'Seems it's time to light up,' thought he. So he trimmed his lamp, hung it up, and sat down again to work. He finished off one boot and, turning it about, examined it. It was all right. Then he gathered his tools together, swept up the cuttings, put away the bristles and the thread and the awls, and, taking down the lamp, placed it on the table. Then he took the Gospels from the shelf. He meant to open them at the place he had marked the day before with a bit of morocco, but the book opened at another place. As Martin opened it, his yesterday's dream came back to his mind, and no sooner had he thought of it than he seemed to hear footsteps, as though some one were moving behind him. Martin turned round, and it seemed to him as if people were standing in the dark corner, but he could not make out who they were. And a voice whispered in his ear: 'Martin, Martin, don't you know me?'

'Who is it?' muttered Martin.

'It is I,' said the voice. And out of the dark corner stepped Stepánitch, who smiled and vanishing like a cloud was seen no more.

'It is I,' said the voice again. And out of the darkness stepped the woman with the baby in her arms and the woman smiled and the baby laughed, and they too vanished.

'It is I,' said the voice once more. And the old woman and the boy with the apple stepped out and both smiled, and then they too vanished.

And Martin's soul grew glad. He crossed himself put on his spectacles, and began reading the Gospel just where it had opened; and at the top of the page he read

'I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in.'

And at the bottom of the page he read

'Inasmuch as ye did it unto one of these my brethren even these least, ye did it unto me'(Matt. xxv).

And Martin understood that his dream had come true; and that the Saviour had really come to him that day, and he had welcomed him.

The Old Shoemaker

The Old Shoemaker

This video is based off of the short story, "Where Love Is, God Is", by Leo Tolstoy.

It is a sweet tale about an old cobbler who sees the Lord.

May you see God today. Have a blessed Friday:)

"And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."

~Matthew 25:40

The Beehive Challenge

Today, September 23rd, 2014 marks the start of a new approach for this small little blog. Today is the launch of something that has been in the works for quite a while, but it has never felt right to start until today.

And now for a drum roll please!!!!

I Introduce to You!

The Beehive Challenge 

 (linked above)

This idea has been something that I've been toying with for quite a while. A couple years ago, the LDS church came out a publication recognizing 100 years of Girls' Camp. In this publication, they listed some of the goals that girls of the early 1920  accomplished through the Beehive Girls Program (similar to the original design of Girl Scouts or Campfire Girls).

Girls would learn skills in any area that interested them and would come together to discuss what they learned, share their knowledge, delight in the joys of womanhood (WO-MAN-HO), and fellowship together to give praise to the Lord.

As the times changed, so did the program. Eventually it was no longer relevant to the needs of the girls in the world and so it became a memory to the few left who participated. The program was replaced by the Personal Progress program (which most LDS ladies today have grown up with). Personal Progress has also taken many forms. Today it focuses mainly on finding your relationship with God and making your own path to Him through the of learning life skills and offering service to others. Where this Program is wonderful and commendable in its own right, there seems to be something in regards to the completeness and well rounded person that is idealized in the goals of the Beehive Girls. Where Personal Progress is a wonderful tool (I encourage mothers, daughters, grandmothers, wives, etc. to look at the lessons and continue to work on new goals as it truly does have a way of focusing our lives around our Lord), there is something lacking in the general gaining of life skills that are of a more practical and self-sufficient nature in the adult world.

The goal of this challenge is to be an aid used for learning skills that have been forgotten through the last century. The tasks set in this challenge are not meant to be a hindrance or distraction from anything of the busy lives of women today, but rather a tool to help guide a restoration of practical skills. Although some of the skills listed in the book are dated (most people don't need to know how to drive a team of horses, or have a need to kill dozens of house flies because they are ever present), there is still much we can learn from the skills that these young women once learned. Wouldn't it be nice to know which how to dress wounds and clean bandages? Wouldn't it be easier to understand babies if you knew what each cry meant? Wouldn't knowing how to sew save you tons of money by mending an article that ripped or a child outgrew rather than going to buy a new one when it is perfectly salvageable?

That is the purpose of this challenge- to see how much you can learn.

If our call as women is to be as the one described in Proverbs 31, then let us take the challenge and mark how we can improve our world. Confidence grows when people are enabled. What better way to grow your confidence than to be well rounded and capable?

"Strength and Honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come"

~ Proverbs 31:25 KJV

May the Lord Bless you today.

Living in the Now

Sometimes we get caught up in the thick of thin things, we forget to live for the day we are in, and we take for granted the blessings God has given us. It's important to be ambitious and to work to improve our lives- but we can not afford to sacrifice what is happening in the here and now, for what is just a possibility tomorrow. Yes, we need to plan for the future. Yes, we need to make ourselves ready for the struggles yet to come. But we can not allow ourselves lose sight of the good we have now. We must show our gratitude to Him by living in the moment. 

What tale will we have to tell, at the end of our lives, if we don't make the time to be where we are and live for those blessed moments?

God gives us opportunities to make memories. He wants us to find joy. Sometimes it takes a little work, but what blessings we will receive when we look at the Father and tell him we did our best and learned from the trials He set before us. 

We must exhibit faith. Faith is a verb. It is not something that you posses once and are done with. We must show the Lord that we are devoted to His work. 

We must try our best to be His hands. But we can not do that if all we ever do is think about a moment that we do not live in.

 May you find strength in the Lord- in His timing.

May you nurture your faith and find peace in His works.

Let God bless you and comfort you.

Holy Week and Good Friday

SO....This might be slightly late, but I finally finished it before the end of Holy week *GRIN*

In most Judea-Christian the week of Passover is recognized as a special week. It is a week of celebration and gratitude to the Most High for "passing over" the homes of the faithful and sparing the sons of those who followed Jehovah during the time of Moses. Such was a symbol to the Children of Israel that God would send His first-born Son to sacrifice himself for the sins of the world.

Exodus 12:
     "And the Lord spake unto Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, saying, this month shall be unto you the beginning of months: it shall be the first month of the year to you. Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel, saying, In the tenth day of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb, according to the house of their fathers, a lamb for an house...your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year: ye shall take it out from the sheep, or from the goats: and shall keep it up until the fourteenth day of the same month: and the whole assemble of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening. And they shall take the blood and strike it on the two side posts and on the upper door post of the houses, wherein they shall eat it. And they shall eat the flesh in that night, roast with fire, and unleavened bread; and with bitter herbs they shall eat it...for I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgement: I am the Lord. And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt. And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye shall keep it a feast to the Lord throughout your generations..."

This passage in Exodus explains the event of the Passover and the establishment of the Feast of Unleavened Bread.

It was during the week of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, that Christ Jesus came to Jerusalem.

We read in Luke 19:
"And when he had thus spoken, he went before, ascending up to Jerusalem. And if came to pass, when he was  come nigh to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount called the mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, Saying, Go ye into the village over against you; in the which at your entering ye shall find a colt tied, whereon yet never man sat: loose him, and bring him hither. And if any man ask you, Why do ye loose him? thus shall ye say unto him, Because the Lord hath need of him. And they that were sent went their way, and found even as he had said unto them. And as they were loosing the colt, the owners thereof said unto them. Why loose ye the colt? And they said, The Lord hath need of him. And they brought him to Jesus and they cast their garments upon the colt, and they set Jesus thereon. And as he went, they spread their clothes in the way.And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen' Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: Peace in heaven. and glory in the highest."


It was this event that marked the fulfillment of the Prophecy: The Son of God rode through the Gates of Jerusalem. This is the event that we celebrate on Palm Sunday, one week before the celebration of His resurrection.

The same week that God's Mercy in the passover is celebrated, so do we celebrate His redemption for His people.

Today we remember the Passion and Crucifixion of our Savior. He established the blessing of the Sacrament(Communion), was betrayed by Judas Iscariot, and sold for a price less than that of a slave.

Matthew 26:
"Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests. And said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver. And from that time he sought opportunity to betray him."

He prayed and bled in the Garden, taking our sins as His own. He was sold at taken to Caiaphas, the priest, then brought before Pilate, and crucified in the place of Barabbas. He was then set on the cross between the murderer and the thief. He was mocked, scorned, and bathed in vinegar.

Luke 23:
"And when they were come to the place that was called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the male factors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left. Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots. And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also with them derided him, saying He saved others; let him save himself, if he be the Christ, the chosen of God. And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, and offering him vinegar, and saying, if thou be the king of the Jews, save thyself. And a superscription was also written over him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS."

But even in His last moments, Christ forgave the murderer who was contrite and broken. He granted him peace and eternal life.

 Luke 23:
"And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, if thou be Christ, save thyself and us. But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise."

And then, as He said, it was done.

Luke 23:
"And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst.  And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having thus, he gave up the ghost. Now when the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying Certainly this was a righteous man."

It is today that we commemorate His death. We give praise and thanks to our Savior for His sacrifice and His Atonement for our sins.

However, it is not in his death that we celebrate. It is in His Life.
Through Him we have forgiveness, mercy, charity, and the opportunity to be pure.
However, only through Him breaking the bonds of death, and rising again the third day, can we truly have cause for celebration. In mortality He died, in Exaltation He rose again and fulfilled His promise for us to all have eternal life and Salvation in Heaven.


May you remember Him in your thoughts- not just this weekend, but everyday. Remember His miracles, He blessings, His sacrifice, and His Life. We have a living God. And through Him all things just and righteous are made possible. Only through Him can all men be made free.

God Bless you.

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A New Way to Follow Sew What's Cookin'!

The last couple of months have been very busy. However, a pinterest account has been started and built up which is full of fun ideas for the Holidays and for all seasons. You will find craft ideas, stocking stuffers, DIY projects, Sewing tips, and recipes.
Follow us on Pinterest!!!

http://pinterest.com/sewwhatscookin/

If you follow the boards, your boards will be followed back!

Just because money is tight, that doesn't mean that gifts have to stop.
Items can be repurposed, re-created, and can be the most meaningful gifts of the season.

Do not let hard times make you feel inadequate. It isn't about the stuff. It's about the Spirit.
It's isn't about the gimmes it's about celebrating the Savior by loving others.

May your Soul be given peace and joy as December brings many new adventures!

Luke 2:10

"The Land of the Free...Because of the Brave"

Memorial Day.

It is the national holiday set aside for those who have fallen in defense of the United States of America.  Today is marked in remembrance of every person who has given their life for ours.  They loved us so much that they were willing to die for us.  They knew that the price for Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of happiness was no small fee.  They understood that the second they put on their uniform, they became an open target for all enemies who stand against the noble cause of Independence.  The stood for our freedom, and they died for our liberty.  We must not forget those that have paid the price for our lives.

How do we repay them?  How is it that you acknowledge their sacrifice?  Is it once a year?  Do you visit the grave site of a fallen soldier and leave flowers? (Not that there is ANYTHING wrong with that! Every soldier must be remembered!) But is that the extent of your regard?  Do you walk a cemetery in solemn remembrance, then leave and forget why you had even visited? Is that the depth of your appreciation?  

These men and women did not die for flowers.  They died so that you wouldn't need to.  They died so that you are free to live your life without worry-without care- without the knowledge of every horror that comes with standing for a cause that is bigger than yourself.  They gave their lives so that we could go about our business, everyday, and have no concern for our safety.  And how do we repay them? How do we repay Him?  We spend our time idly.  We laugh at those who need our compassion.  We mock the people that we call our "friends".  We use and abuse the people around us.  The people that have received the self same sacrifice. 

Is not this the cause that they were fighting against?  The very evil that we are at war with? Are these the actions for which soldiers, young and old, gave up their families, their joys, their pains, their lives, for?  Is this how we repay them? By taking their sacrifice and dragging it through the mud?

Is this how we repay our Savior? We set aside a couple of days every year in remembrance of those who died for us.  We celebrate Easter, Memorial Day, etc. and glorify that single day.  Yet, we forget what it means to sacrifice. We forget them every other day of the year. Unless we have been directly affected by the death of a loved one, do we remember those that sacrificed their lives for us?  Do we always remember our Lord? Do we live to honor those who died that we may have the freedom to live? Do we improve the world around us? Let this Memorial day change you if you do not already strive to honor these sacrifices. 

Act with the hope that maybe, just maybe, you can give a little back to a troubled world. With the hope that their lives were not given in vain. Honor those who died for you. Acknowledge their gift.  Respect their resting place.  Remember them. 

Do not forget that they died for you.  Do not forget that He died for all of us- every person "great" and "small".  He gave His life in the battle for your soul. And He took up His life again in the sweet victory of a far greater battle.

Do Not Forget.

Something from Nothing

Have you ever had a garden?  Have you ever worked so hard for that garden to become something wonderful, and it doesn't? Have you ever tried every method that you could think of, or find, and the plants just won't produce?  Have you ever given up on your little garden, and come back the next year to start a fresh, and seen the plants that you had given up on growing, viable, producing?  Have you ever felt that pure excitement when you see the little green buds on your sticky blueberry plants?  The flowers on the chives you abandoned?  The sprigs on your "dead" rosemary?  The blossoms on the cherry tree that you thought had died in the harsh winter frost? 

Is that not how the Lord feels?  Is He not excited when one of His children finally accept his care and start to become something wonderful?  He sees them face adversity, trials, storms, freezes, extreme heat, and watches as they are about to break.  Then, all of a sudden, a choice is made.  The choice to continue onward.  The choice to thrive in a world that graciously provides every cause for defeat. How great is the joy of those that watch those that they care about overcome the tribulations of life. 

Are you one of those that are an aid gardener, or are you one of the beautiful plants that produces after hope has been lost?  It does not matter under which category it is that you fall.  It does not matter if you are wandering, if you are in pain, if you feel as though you will never amount to anything.  He loves you.  You are wonderfully and perfectly made.  The Lord will welcome you with all of His wonders.  He will bless you for coming to Him.  He will succor your broken heart.  However, He can only do that if you first turn to Him-give Him your heart to mend.  It is only through the act of fully turning your life over to Him, that all of the hurt, the fears and the insecurities can be healed.  Do Not give up hope.  He is ever present to lift you up.

Be cautious however.  He will not let you abuse His grace and mercy.  It doesn't work like that.  You cannot be fairweather.  The Lord will not tolerate a hypocrite.  If your intent is pure, it will be honored.  If you are not sincere- If you do not show Him that you are true- Take heed.  The Lord will succor His people.  But they must come to Him in earnest.  They must be trying to change.  That change will not happen overnight, but the efforts must be strong in desire and action. If you have experienced this change of heart, you will understand.  If you have been truly reborn, you will understand the depth of this process.  If you have not, do not be discouraged.  Father wants you to come to Him.  If there is an inkling of desire- just as with the small sprouts and buds in the "dead" garden- the Gardener will take that life, that desire, and will magnify it.  He will make weak things strong.  He will give life to the lifeless. He is the Well.  He is Life.  Without whom, we are nothing.  He is the breath we breathe, the inexplicable joy that comes when one lives in righteousness. 

So many might be thinking, "Um I don't have that problem.  I have faith, I try my best to be what the Father wants me to be.  I try to do more good than bad, what about me? I haven't wandered."  There are so many good and righteous people in the world.  They feel alone because they feel as though their efforts are futile.  If others can wander, and be accepted back into the fold, then why do they continue in their actions?  If people can have friends, fit in, sin, and still come back, why is it that I am alone?  Why is it that I'm told to be strong if it's okay for everyone else to be rescued.  Where is my rescue?  To those of you that feel this way, please do not let go of the rod.  Do not fall away.  He is proud of you because you never let go.  You never falter.  You are the ones that are the beacons bringing His children home.  Then you may ask, "Why would God let me take the abuse that goes with being a beacon?   Why must I be in pain for those who are lost to find joy, love, friendship, peace?   Why would he use me like that?"  Have any of those thoughts passed through your mind?  If they have, don't give up.  He loves you differently.  If you can endure your trials, you will be blessed.  Those that stay strong through adversity, His "shafts in the whirlwind", will receive the endless blessings of the highest degree.  If you can manage to continue in your strength, even when you are alone, even when you are scorned, mocked, ridiculed, bullied, hurt, scared, even when you bury your pain so deep down that it becomes a part of you-when it hurts so bad that you forget that it exists- when you have needed to plaster that smile on your face for so many days that you are past the point of feeling that pain that you have hidden, do not stop.  DO NOT forsake the Lord.  The pain that you feel, or don't, He will take away.  You are one of His chosen.  You are His child.  His hero.  You are one of the great ones.  You are the valiant, the elect, the only one that can completely and eternally fulfill your role.  The Lord loves you.  He will sustain you, and He will heal you. 

Whether you may be one of those that need to redirect your course, or you are one that needs to continue in righteousness, turn to the Lord.  Give Him your heart.  Become washed in His blood.  Find what it means for you to be reborn. He is the bread of life, the living water.  He the GREAT I AM.  Turn over your emotions to Him.  He will take away the hurt, and magnify the joy.  Let Him.

May you let the Lord bless your day. When He does, let His blessings do good for those around you. 

Praise Him in all that you do.

What have you learned?

Knowledge is something that you can't give to people.  You can talk to them and try to teach them, but if they don't want to listen, you can't force it upon them.  What you have learned is specific to you.  There is not one person who has learned exactly what you have learned in the exact way that you have learned it.  Your special combination of experiences is unique.  Yes, the world says that you are another digit in the system, but each person has their own story to tell; their own knowledge to share.  For that's the purpose of knowledge.  It is to mold each person by their thoughts, actions, and works.  The knowledge that God gives us is a special blessing.  We choose to live each day because of what we have learned.  Both our good choices and our bad ones are a product of our learning. 
What we know and treasure here, during this probationary period, will stay with us when we are with Him above.  Our personalities, our thoughts, our habits-none of them will change.  It is our job to take what we have learned through our experiences and apply them to our lives.  We can choose to be destructive, or we can choose to build up His work.  It is a choice that we must make based off of the knowledge that we have.

What will you choose?

So, You've Been Put Through the Wringer?

 Sometimes life is hard.  Sometimes you feel like you can't take anymore trials.  But if you prove to the Lord that He is your focus, that He is your Life, you will overcome your struggles.  Whether they are physical or emotional, if you rely on Him, your burdens will be made light. 

Our God is a fourth watch God.  He gives us our instructions and will wait until it is time for Him to step in and protect us.  He does this for our own good.  We must pass the test before we can be rewarded- but we can't pass His tests if He does not give us time to try.  Everything is made possible through His Grace.  We cannot loose sight of that.  Even in our most difficult moments, He is always there; always watching; always ready to help us through our challenges. 

Remember that even when you feel like you are being put through the wringer, He is there.  He may even be the one turning the crank.  But do not loose hope.  Do NOT give up. 

Just as dirty clothes need to be scrubbed and wrung out, so do we.  We are already beautiful, but He knows what needs to be cleaned and polished before we can return to live with HIM.

Feel your Father's love.  Feel your Savior's love.  Let that Love consume you.  Rely on it and trust in it.  He will sustain you- Through the good and the bad.  He will never forsake you.

May you see the blessings of the Lord in your life today.

What does it mean: "To Love"?

To Love someone means that you support that person through their trials, both temporal and physical. To Love someone means that you see that person as God does.  He Loves them, so you do too.  If He sees glory and goodness in that person, it is your job to find that goodness because of HIM. Love is not what is romanticized about in movies and literature- in some cases it is, but not in most.  To Love a person is to continually pray for that person, to be ever constant in caring for their well being.  Love is often times, most difficult. To Love a person is to have Charity for their spirit.  Charity is a word that is often misinterpreted.  To have Charity is to be consumed by the Pure Love of CHRIST. 

As Paul states in 1 Corinthians 13: 13 KJV " And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three: but the greastest of these is charity."  The greatest of the three keys to living a profitable life, is to constantly be filled with the Pure Love of CHRIST.  It is by that Love that we are able to return again to our Father. It is by that Love that we are washed in the Blood. 

John 3:16 KJV "For God so loved the world, He sent His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." 

It is through this Love, that He Lives.

May the Lord bless you throughout your day.

Do you take time to THINK?

Our words affect one another.  Take the time to be kind in word and deed. 

You never know what could make a difference in a person's life.

For good or ill, we will impact others with our words. 

Be swifter to help lift someone up than to tear them down.

~Proverbs 15~

Who can you speak gentler to today?

Easter and Other Thoughts

Today as we remembered our Savior, we thought about the glorious morning when the tomb was found empty.  "He has burst His three days prison" (LDS Hymns, 199).  He has asked us to "Come unto Him" everyday.  What a blessed day to remember His call.
May your weeks ahead be blessed and may you carry the Spirit of His Life with you throughout your daily activities.  Do not let the lies of the World distract you from remembering Him.

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Although this video is from the musical "Wicked", the song is a wonderful example of the impact that we have on everyone we meet.  Listen to the music, and take note of its message.  Because people know you, they will change, just as you will change because you know them.  Will you choose to change them "for the better"?  Isn't that the message of Easter?  That Christ performed the Atonement so that we could all be "changed for the better"- that we could "be changed for good"?  Let the Spirit fill your heart, and remember that your example can and will impact those around you.

The Lost Art of Letter Writing

When was the last time that you wrote someone a letter?
Maybe it was yesterday, maybe it was last month, maybe you've never done it.

You may ask, "Why would I write a letter? Isn't that what email is for?  Isn't that why I have a cell phone?".

So what is the difference between a letter and email or text?
There is a big difference.
An email is not tangible.  Although they are extremely useful and help to make life efficient, you cannot touch an email.  Unless it isn't printed out, it can be easily deleted.  A text is the same way.  Texts are wonderful when you need to get a hold of someone quickly. 
However,  there is something special about reading a hand written letter.
If you've ever recieved a letter in the mail, you know the feeling. 
You know that someone took time out of their busy day to sit down, and hand write their personal thoughts, just for you. The lost art of letter writing is something that must be revived. 
The sense of intimacy that comes only through hand written letters, is lost by the bells and whistles of the digital world.

What can be learned through a letter that can not be communicated bia technology, you ask?
Much.
     Each person has a unique style of handwriting.  Digital charcaters are all exactly alike.  When in the same font, there is no difference in the appearance of the characters regardless of who sent you the message.  A lot can be observed about a person by their handwriting.  For example, if the note was scribbled quickly, they tend to be more difficult to read, and are not as uniform as characters that were written when time is not pressing.  The style of handwriting (cursive, print, etc.) can describe a person's personality.  Girls tend to write differently than boys.  Their characters are typically easier to read when printed, and are generally more rounded.  Men tend to write hastily and their characters have a more "block-like" appearance. 
     Another thing to note is that there can never be stains on an email.  Whether they be tear stains, tea, juice or coffee stains, you will only find them on a letter that is either printed out or handwritten.  The condition of the paper used, as well as the type of paper used, tells much about the person's intent, and activity level during the time of the writing. 

     In short, emails and texts are wonderful developments that have impacted the efficacy of communication.  But we must revive the lost art of letter writing. A hand written letter is tangible. They can be read repeatedly without eye strain caused by staring at a screen.  Handwritten letters provide a great opportunity for deeper friendships.

Remember what it feels like to recieve a card or letter in the mail.  Make someone's day by letting them feel that excitement. If you don't have time to handwrite one, type it up and print it off. Let someone know that you care and write them a letter. 


Maybe we can change the world...one letter at a time.

It's That Time Again!

This weekend is the 182nd Annual LDS General Conference.  That means that for Latter-Day Saints around the World, Church meetings are broadcast over the radio, internet, and television. 

For those of you with primary aged children, it is often difficult to keep them entertained and still hear all of the wonderful revelation.  It was because of this issue that the Conference Packets were created. If made into a family homework assignment, due by the end of the four sessions, even the most rambuncious children will pay attention. Even if they are not used for that purpose, it is still fun to print one for yourself and fill in a word search or two.

Below are links to various activity packets.  Some are filled with more coloring activities, and some are geared more older listeners. Feel free to find the one that fits your family's needs.

http://www.sugardoodle.net/joomla/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=8529
The sugar doodle sight also has other activities if you scroll down the page.

http://www.jennyphillips.com/gc/

Our family prefers the packets created by the singer and author, Jenny Phillips, but the sugar doodle packets are equally wonderful.

http://www.lds.org/general-conference/children?lang=eng
Above is a direct link to the official Conference activities page.

How exciting to hear the Good Word spoken by the mouths of the prophets!

Enjoy your weekends Ladies, and may the Lord bless you!

Real life or Photo shop?

Anyone ever heard of "The Great and Spacious Make-up Box"?

How sad is it that this has become the standard for beauty?

This lady is already beautiful.  Did she need all of the photo editing

to make her even more so? No. So where is your standard?

Do you want to be YOUR best, or a computer's best?

There is so much more to a person than what they look like.

Life isn't virtual.  Go forth and be who the Lord wants you to be.

Dove came out with this video a couple of years ago, but I think its been lost in the bright lights of youtube.

"But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart."

~ 1 Samuel 16:7 KJV

think about it...

Looking through photos on facebook, and this one came across the screen...

Make it a great day, and may the Lord bless you!

"I have set the Lord always before me: because He is my right hand, I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glorty rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope...Thou wilt show me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy: at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore."

~Psalm 16:8-11 KJV

When You Feel Alone

Often times, walking with God means that you walk with God.  It does not mean that you have a big groups of cheerleaders and fans that are constantly encouraging you to keep going.  Sometimes it does, but many times, you feel alone. 
The feeling of isolation is a tool of the adversary.  He disconnects family, friends, school, church, sports, etc. to create the mirage of being alone.  Humans are social beings. We have a need to feel supported, liked, loved, and accepted.  When you ask people about their most difficult struggles, they usually tell you that they felt alone and afraid.  This feeling has been ever growing.  But why do people feel this way, and how can we prevent the feeling of being alone?

The Why:
Part of the problem is that we allow ourselves to be so absorbed with technology, school, work, what have you, that we are unable to communicate with those around us.  Rather than striking a conversation with the others in the room, people text their friends who are miles away.  A relationship with a people requires time and effort...not texts, tweets, and face book updates... 
Think about it. How much is communicated through body language, and tone? Everything.  When you read words, you interpret them for what they are...words...Reading a text does not impart sincerity, eye contact, body language, sarcasm, or any emotion besides what is written.  How many times have you or someone you knew been hurt by something they were texted? How many times has there been a miscommunication because someone is too afraid to dial the number they are texting, and speak with the person on the very device that they are using to text with? Yes, texting has its perks: quick response, multiple conversations, you can pull up past conversations, the list goes on.  However, even communicating on the phone allows for tone to be established.  What is meant as a joke can be taken as a joke, and not a remark that someone thinks is a joke, but always wonders if the other person truly meant what they wrote.

When you are at school or work all day with people who do not hold your values as their own, you often feel alone.  You are mocked, ridiculed, excluded, bullied, all because you don't believe in the same things they do.  It is difficult to be different on purpose when everyone else is doing something else or not respecting who you are.  There is often the mentality that "Everyone can be accepted except the people that aren't".


The Fix:
The key to not feeling alone is to find faith. When you have faith in the Lord, He will be your strength.  He will lead you to service.  It is through that service that you will grow to love others.  He  will guide you to others in need of your friendship.  The important thing is to keep busy with the Lord's work.  By doing so, He will send the Comforter. We can receive the strength we need to reach out to others.  Faith in Him will allow people to come into our lives that will help us to be strong.
Until those people are around us, faith must be our solace.  It is often difficult to live off of faith alone.  When you cannot bare the isolation, say a prayer, distract yourself, find something to do.  That is one of the blessings of technology.  We have the ability to use the Internet, and we have cell phones. 

Try to keep your Faith in the Lord.  Even through the darkest moments, we are never alone.  He is always with us, watching, prompting, and loving us.  It is by His mercy that we live each day.  His will must be our purpose, and even if the results are not in our time, they are in His; we will be blessed for our faith.

Also turn to those you can trust.  If you have a good family, try to build your relationships with them.  If you have good friends, kindle that friendship.  Do not give up hope, but if you are in a situation that is harmful to you or others you know, make a change. Surround yourself with people who will support you, as you support them. 

Remember:
Many people feel alone because of circumstance.  They are raised in a world that is pulls them down, and they don't know how to get above the filth.  These people need help to find their strength.  DO NOT serve people for selfish gain.  Truly love them as the Savior would.  Sometimes it is difficult to love someone you don't like.  We weren't told to "like" everyone.  We were told to LOVE them.  This task is not easy, but it will bring happiness to everyone involved.  Everyone deserves to be loved.  It does not matter who they are or what they have done.  He suffered for every soul.  It is through His Grace that we have His Light.

He has entrusted us with His light and has told us what to do with it.  May we all walk a little taller knowing that we have been trusted with this precious gift.  Each person has a purpose.  Through relying on Him, that purpose will be made known, and all feelings of fear and isolation will dissipate.  His Light will sustain you if you let it.

We must each the keeper of a lighthouse.  As a light house stands alone on the shore, often times so do the believers.  People may come to admire it, but they never stay for long.  The light house has a purpose. When it is in top condition, it is able to be a beacon in the dark, and a remarkable beauty in the light.  When it is in disrepair, it is a shell of what was or what could have been.  A light house keeper does all they can to ensure that the light house is in prime condition.  The task may seem difficult, but the rewards are insurmountable. 

"Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.  Neither do men light a candle and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house."
~ Matthew 5: 14-15 KJV