Growing Alligators

My son got a little toy for his birthday. An alligator. You put it in the water and it grows. Before his bath I got my camera ready to see his reaction when we put it in the water. He's excited, I'm excited, then I drop it in! ...nothing happened.

I was disappointed as you can imagine so sent my husband to go look at the box. It said you need to leave it in the water for at least 3 days. My thinking was it was like a sponge and would grow instantaneous, instead, it grows very slowly, taking in the water little by little. We filled a pan with water and it has been sitting on the counter for a week now.

Sure enough, it has gotten bigger, but I've been amazed how I haven't really been able to tell. The only way I can tell is when I compare it to something that hasn't changed size, and when next to each other, the change is obvious. My son has no interest and when we show him that it is bigger, it is like it was that big all along. This got me thinking and reminded me of a scripture that was shared at a recent devotional I heard.

Yea, and there shall be many which shall say: Eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we die; and it shall be well with us. And there shall also be many which shall say: Eat, drink, and be merry; nevertheless, fear God—he will justify in committing a little sin; yea, lie a little, take the advantage of one because of his words, dig a pit for thy neighbor; there is no harm in this; and do all these things, for tomorrow we die; and if it so be that we are guilty, God will beat us with a few stripes, and at last we shall be saved in the kingdom of God. Yea, and there shall be many which shall teach after this manner, false and vain and foolish doctrines... - 2 Nephi 28:7-9

I see every day that this is true. So many in the world believe life is about having fun, so party it up. They have no concern for life after death, and if they do, their belief is God is loving and he will forgive us. He knows we were just trying to have fun and didn't know any better. But we are told these are false, and vain, and foolish thoughts.

How do people come up with these thoughts? It is Satan, getting into the hearts of men. But people will not believe they are being controlled by Satan. They are making their own choices. If someone wants to try drugs or have a drink, they will. They are in control, they are just having fun, "all is well." But then something happens without them knowing it. They become addicted and it has a grasp on them. This is the way Satan works. Little by little, pulling you carefully down to hell and because the change is so subtle it is unnoticeable. We are warned in the scriptures of this very thing-

For behold, at that day shall he rage in the hearts of the children of men, and stir them up to anger against that which is good. And others will he pacify, and lull them away into carnal security, that they will say: All is well in Zion; yea, Zion prospereth, all is well—and thus the devil cheateth their souls, and leadeth them away carefullydown to hell. And behold, others he flattereth away, and telleth them there is no hell; and he saith unto them: I am no devil, for there is none—and thus he whispereth in their ears, until he grasps them with his awful chains, from whence there is no deliverance. Yea, they are grasped with death, and hell; and death, and hell, and the devil, and all that have been seized therewith must stand before the throne of God, and be judged according totheir works, from whence they must go into the place prepared for them, even a lake of fire and brimstone, which is endless torment. -2 Nephi 28: 20-23

Can you see the comparison with our little toy alligator? A small, harmless little thing that grows into a large monster that you can no longer control, and it did it all without you noticing. We need to watch out for those absorbing alligators in our lives.

Praying for Others

Life is hard, but it seems to be especially hard on a lot of families I know recently.

In my own family my aunt was diagnosed with alzheimers very young and my grandma has been taking care of her. She continues to take care of her, but has decided to move closer to my mom and somewhere she can get a little extra help when she needs it. I've been amazed at my grandma's strength and everything my mom has done the last couple of months to make it all happen so quickly. It continues to be a daunting task, a messy, exhausting, and yucky one.

There are two separate families I have connections with that have recently lost their dads/husbands, not to death, but them being unfaithful in their marriage. I think that is such a tragic thing to deal with. One of the girls said, "my dad doesn't want to be part of our family anymore." How heart-breaking is that for little children to feel that way. I can't imagine the feelings you encounter to lose your partner who you love and become the sole provider, protector, and nurturer because of their unfaithfulness.

My childhood best friend's mom passed away this weekend from a long fight against breast cancer. There is a peace that comes from knowing she is no longer suffering and they will see her again, but to leave your children who are still so young, her son serving a mission, and her dear husband who has been a huge love and support is very saddening. Again, I can't imagine the pain and loss they must be feeling at this time.

As I was saying my evening prayer the other night I felt myself praying for each individual, one after another after another. It seemed the list kept growing on who I felt needed a little extra help. I don't know the best way I can help all these people, I've never had to deal with those things, but I know we have a Heavenly Father who does. I know the power of the Holy Ghost is real and can bring comfort, strength, and direction.

As I prayed for others I felt such a strength growing within me. I felt empowered to be better, that I could do so much more. I want to serve others, show love, live the commandments more fully, and be a better example. I was amazed at doing something so simple as thinking of others, instead of all things I wanted help with at this time, made me feel like I could get through everything on my plate. I can be a better wife and mother, simply by praying and thinking of others.

I posted last December when a friend passed away from leukemia who left behind another friend of mine, his beautiful 24 year old wife. I was looking back on their blog as it always amazes me and makes me feel gratitude. But I wanted to share her last post- All is Well

I remember the night Robert passed away, the peace I felt. I wouldn't even say it was necessarily bittersweet, because it was mostly sweet. I've thought a lot about the events, played them in my mind, over and over. When I think about it now, I see angels. I know they were everywhere, all around me, Robert, our families, in the halls. I've never felt peace like that, like tons of beautiful whispers of love right into my spirit, comforting me, letting me know everything was going to be okay. I felt their joy, for Robert, a valiant son of God was coming back to them, clean, and as pure as a person can be in this life. He served his mission here, with help from many of the angels that attended us, I believe. I remember making the decisions about letting him go, to take him off his life support. It's those moments that I had clarity like I have never felt before in my life, I had never felt that kind of peace that comes with it. All worry and fear clears out completely, and I knew what was needed, what was right in Heavenly Father's eyes. I imagine that night now with angels, clothed in brilliant white, joy emanating from them. I imagine they were laying comforting, loving hands on all of us, and especially Robert, to give him strength, to let him know we would all be okay. I remember how we sang to Robert as he passed away, and I now hear it with the voices of angels harmonizing with everyone's voices, welcoming Robert home. We were all saying goodbye, but all those angels were rejoicing in his return, they were welcoming him back. It brings me comfort, that I can see that night this way. I see Robert in those brilliant white robes, pure joy on his face, looking more healthy than he ever has, healed perfectly, and knowing that he felt relief, that it had been enough, that he had served in every way he had been asked. "All is well"... I heard it whispered much that night through the spirit, and I hear it often now. Even though I am hurting, I know that it will all be okay, Robert and I will be reunited for eternity, of this, I am sure. All is well.

I love that. Our prayers are answered. For someone that had to deal with something so difficult, there is a peace I feel from reading that everyone's prayers were being answered. She had the Holy Ghost with her. It is a marvelous blessing to be able to feel our Savior's love, peace and clarity. I hope we can pray for others more often and live in harmony with the gospel that we can have the spirit with us always.

Count Your Many Blessings

So I have a few friends that really like a popular blog which basically mocks the world of mormon mom blogs that talk about how wonderful their family is and how great their life is... I decided I don't like it.

I gave a Family Home Evening lesson Monday night on love, and I've been thinking a lot about it this week. One scripture I read was:

"Charity suffereth long, and is kind, and envieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, and rejoiceth not in iniquity. Charity is everlasting love." Moroni 8:17

Now, I'm not the type of person that thinks, 'that person deserves to rot in hell,' but I find myself occasionally with the thoughts, 'that person is so dumb.' And now I keep thinking I need to really love everyone and want the best for everyone. Thinking people are stupid and they deserve certain consequences isn't Christ-like of me. Making fun of people that 'talk like a mormon' or name their kids crazy things isn't what I should be doing, or supporting those that do. So that is one thing I am working on and I am enjoying the learning experience from it.

Neal A. Maxwell said, 'When we come to be genuinely concerned with pleasing God-more than with pleasing any in the world, even ourselves-then our behavior improves and His blessings can engulf us."

So I was thinking one night about this popular blog and questioned if my personal blog falls into the category they mock. Then I thought, so what if it is. I think there is a lot of good that comes from acknowledging all the blessings we receive. I think we need to do more on focusing on those things, rather than all the trash, wicked, and stupidity in the world. 20 years down the road are our children going to be reading our journals to see we were a pessimist or an optomist. Are we going to want to remember those awful days, or the ones we spent laughing and loving. I know when I look back on a negative thing, those feelings of anger and frustration sometimes easily come back. I know opposition is a necessity, and those bad days make the good ones so much better, I just believe there is a lot more happiness to be had in this world if we count our blessings.

I've always heard about thankful prayers, designating an entire prayer to giving thanks, and I've done my share of them, but sometimes it seems awfully difficult at the end of the day to think, okay, what did I like today and can not think of anything!

Well, it simply isn't true and I'm making a goal in addition to loving others more, to acknowledging all the things I'm grateful for - the refridgerator that keeps my food fresh, plumbing to make using the bathroom so much easier and cleaner, and technology that I can call my parents when I need someone to talk to, even when my ice maker doesn't work, the sewer line backed up into my house, and my cell seems to constantly drop my calls.

There are so many luxuries we have today. I know if we try to focus on the good things in life, the blessings we have, and having a Christ-like love towards others we will have more happiness in our life.

"The love of God is the most desirable above all things...and the most joyous to the soul." - 1 Nephi 11:22-23