Gratitude: Essential for Forgiveness

I'm incredibly scatterbrained this week with my blogging!  I have been trying to keep up with all the stamping challenges I am in charge of or on the DT for and I totally spaced posting on this blog!  I even made it on Wednesday!  Sorry! ;)  Luckily, there's still time to enter my digi artwork and thoughts into this week's Word Art Wednesday and also to Wendy's fabulous Scripture Sunday!

Here it is~

For some reason, as I read this verse and thought about it, it felt white to me.  I know that sounds strange.  I feel like I'm a very creative person, some of you may not agree, and sometimes things feel like colors or tastes or sounds to me.  But this felt white.  I associate the color white with purity and holiness.  I also associate it with repentance--that we can be pure and clean.  I know some of you are wondering where I'm going with this...

Here's where I'm going.  Lately, I've been thinking more about the type of person I truly want to be.  I am trying to be more forgiving so that I can be forgiven of my sins.  There are steps to repentance, I know that, but as I study the gospel more and more, I am coming to realize that true repentance incorporates every single aspect of the gospel.  This includes prayer and thanksgiving.  I believe that God not only wants us to be thankful to Him alone, but to anyone who does us a good turn.  I feel that ingratitude is one of the worst sins that we can commit.  If we are not willing to be thankful for the Christ-like service that is rendered to us by others striving to become like Him, aren't we also being ungrateful to the Being that made those hands and prompted them to serve us?  One of my favorite sermons from our beloved prophet, Thomas S. Monson, is about gratitude. He says:

“We can lift ourselves and others as well when we refuse to remain in the realm of negative thought and cultivate within our hearts an attitude of gratitude. If ingratitude be numbered among the serious sins, then gratitude takes its place among the noblest of virtues. Someone has said that ‘gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues but the parent of all others.’ …

“Do material possessions make us happy and grateful? Perhaps momentarily. However, those things which provide deep and lasting happiness and gratitude are the things which money cannot buy: our families, the gospel, good friends, our health, our abilities, the love we receive from those around us. Unfortunately, these are some of the things we allow ourselves to take for granted. …

“A grateful heart, then, comes through expressing gratitude to our Heavenly Father for His blessings and to those around us for all that they bring into our lives. This requires conscious effort—at least until we have truly learned and cultivated an attitude of gratitude.”

I want to become more conscious of all the blessings that are brought into my lives by those around me.  I do not want to be ungrateful and take things that are treasured blessings for granted.  In order to do this, I will have to forgive some things that have happened to me, ask for forgiveness from others, learn to be more patient and kind, and look for the good in everyone around me.  I know that I am not perfect, but I am grateful to a Father in Heaven who has given me everything.  Nothing that I have is of my own fruition--to Him be the glory!  My goal is to use the cards I make (you can see them here) to say thank you to Him for the talents He has given me and to tell those around me that I am grateful for their service.  I am not telling you this to make you think I'm a good person--I'm doing it so that I can be publicly reminded of my goal.  I hope you take the time to thank someone today, as well as God for all He does for us!  {{{HUGS}}} and blessings!

If you'd like a copy of this print for your very own, just click to enlarge, save, and print FOR PERSONAL USE ONLY!  For more disclaimers about my digital artwork, scroll to the bottom of my blog! :)

A New Heart

I don't know about you, but there are times when I feel incredibly strong in my testimony of the gospel and other times when I question what I believe in.  The scriptures call these times "trials of faith."  I used to wonder WHY God would give us these times in our lives.  I used to be angry during these times.  It's only been recently that I have decided to embrace these "trials of faith" and learn and grow from them.

A few weeks back, a good friend of mine asked me to watch her three little ones this week because her regular babysitter is on vacation.  I told her I would, thinking that the money would be welcome since I'm not working at all this summer.  But then I started to realize exactly what I had agreed to. 

My only experience with motherhood has been either a miscarried pregnancy or else a foster placement.  Foster care was a severe "trial of faith."  I never want to do it again.  It has nothing to do with the children that we took care of--I will ALWAYS love them.  It has to do with other things that I just typed and then deleted.  I'm trying to be more positive about it. 

Anyway, we'll just say that foster care left me a panic filled, paranoid, wreck of a severely distrusting person.  I never wanted to take care of kids or even think about trying to have them again.  I seriously felt that motherhood was NOT for me.  And on Monday night it hit me that I would have children in my home again.  And I seriously FREAKED OUT.  I felt sick to my stomach, couldn't eat or focus, and wanted to call and cancel.  BUT, I remembered my resolve to embrace things that were difficult with me, said a prayer, and went to bed at nine.  It was the right thing to do.

Friends, these past two days have been two of the best days of my life!  I loved the kids I'm watching before I offered to do this, but now I love them even more!  I have seen what motherhood really can be and it is not as scary as I thought it would be.  Granted, I've only done this for 2 days and I KNOW it gets worse after the "honeymoon" period.  But I have proven to myself that I could stay calm and collected.  The kids still love me.  I adore them!  This has by far been the most amazing "trial of faith" that I have ever gone through!  And all because I put my trust in God.  And He took my hardened heart and showed me that I could have a different heart that would do more good for the world.

Doesn't that story go along PERFECTLY with the scripture at Word Art Wednesday?!  I was amazed when I saw this week's challenge--and I am sooooo amazed at the goodness and greatness of God!

Here's my digital print for today~

AND, a recipe that I came up with for the kiddos--they LOVED them!

Homemade Oreo Cakesters

1 Devil's Food cake mix
2 eggs
1/3 cup oil
1 container marshmallow fluff

Mix the first three ingredients, roll into small balls (about 1 inch in diameter) and bake for 8-10 minutes at 350*. When they come out of the oven, flatten the cookies slightly with a spatula. After the cookies cool completely, add marshmallow fluff to the bottom of one, and add another cookie on top!

Easy peasy, and OH SO YUMMY!!! :)  Sorry there isn't a photo...they were THAT GOOD. ;D

In addition to Word Art Wednesday, I'm linking up to Scripture Sunday @ Each Card Tells a Story, Think on These Things, Titus 2sdays, and Tell Me a Story.  I hope you all have a fabulous rest of your week--feel free to use my digital print for PERSONAL use!

Sunshine in Your Heart

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***For information regarding religious terms you may not be familiar with, please see the LDS Terms tab at the top of this blog for more information.***

As part of my "structured summer," I decided that I would spend some of my time each day focusing more on spiritual things.  We recently had a General Conference of our church back at the beginning of April.  My goal is to read one talk a week and blog about it as part of my spiritual study.  I also want to study my Sunday School lessons, my Relief Society lessons, a hymn, and be better prepared to teach my Primary lesson each week.  I'll probably create some digital artwork to represent what I studied each day.  Then maybe I'll have it printed...So, now you know everything!  I've decided that I'll start today with a Conference talk.

The talk I chose to read was the first talk given, entitled "As We Gather Once More" and given by our prophet, Thomas S. Monson.  He starts out by giving a very concise explanation of WHY we have general conference by saying, "We meet each six months to strengthen one another, to extend encouragement, to provide comfort, to build faith. We are here to learn. Some of you may be seeking answers to questions and challenges you are experiencing in your life. Some are struggling with disappointments or losses. Each can be enlightened and uplifted and comforted as the Spirit of the Lord is felt."

I LOVE general conference!  Each time I listen to the words of living prophets and apostles, I feel the love of Christ emanating around the globe as words of exhortation, love, peace, and goodwill are spoken from the words of men called by God.  I resolve to do a little bit better.  I learn something new from each talk and gain insight into how my Father in Heaven and Savior want me to conduct my life.  IT IS AMAZING.

President Monson went on to say, "Should there be changes which need to be made in your life, may you find the incentive and the courage to do so as you listen to the inspired words which will be spoken. May each of us resolve anew to live so that we are worthy sons and daughters of our Heavenly Father. May we continue to oppose evil wherever it is found." 


I'm not sure about you, but I KNOW that I am far from perfect.  I think that it is amazing that such an exhortation of this magnitude could be given and that millions of people around the world can feel how POSSIBLE it is.  That is the beauty of the gospel of Jesus Christ--it is so easy!  You just have to DO IT.

The next portion of Pres. Monson's talk is about the blessings we have been giving in our generation.  How lucky we are to have the modern technology that is available!  He says, "How blessed we are to have come to earth at such a time as this—a marvelous time in the long history of the world. We can’t all be together under one roof, but we now have the ability to partake of the proceedings of this conference through the wonders of television, radio, cable, satellite transmission, and the Internet—even on mobile devices. We come together as one, speaking many languages, living in many lands, but all of one faith and one doctrine and one purpose."

It is amazing to think that just less than 100 years ago, NONE of these modern marvels were available for use to use!  How great is the wisdom and love of God to give the inspiration for this amazing technology to be present here on this earth at this time--I for one am MOST grateful for indoor plumbing and central heating and air conditioning...I think I would die without it...probably not really, but I am SOOOO grateful for them!!!

President Monson continues, "From a small beginning 182 years ago, our presence is now felt throughout the world. This great cause in which we are engaged will continue to go forth, changing and blessing lives as it does so. No cause, no force in the entire world can stop the work of God. Despite what comes, this great cause will go forward. You recall the prophetic words of the Prophet Joseph Smith: 'No unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing; persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, calumny may defame, but the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent, till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished, and the Great Jehovah shall say the work is done.'"

A story from the Bible comes to mind when reading these statements.  It is found in the book of Daniel.  The prophet Daniel had been called before King Nebuchadnezzar to interpret a dream that he had experienced during the night. The king saw a great statue made of different materials and then a stone cut from the mountain without hands that came and destroyed the image.  That same stone continued to grow until it filled the entire earth.  

Daniel 2:44 states, "And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever."

As a Latter-day Saint, I believe that this stone or kingdom is the restored gospel of Jesus Christ, the Kingdom of God here on the earth today.  Although it is populated by imperfect people, it will one day be populated by a people made perfect by the Atonement of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

As I try to live this gospel more fully each day, I am convinced a little more each day that this gospel is true.  The convictions that I feel come from the DOING of the word, and not the hearing of the word alone.  If I am to become strong and unmoving, I must continue to DO what God wants me to do.  Doubt comes only when I stop the DOING.  Faith is an action word, my friends.

President Monson says that, "There is much that is difficult and challenging in the world today, my brothers and sisters, but there is also much that is good and uplifting. As we declare in our thirteenth article of faith, 'If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.' May we ever continue to do so."

It is so wonderful to be reminded that in a world with so much that is bad, there is also so much good!  There is always so much to be thankful for!  And you know who is in charge of making sure that we are grateful and happy?  WE are!  I LOVE that I am the person in charge of my own personal happiness--I can be happy no matter what happens, because I have Hope in Christ!  This reminds me of a fabulous hymn.

  

You Can Make the Pathway Bright

Helen Silcott Dungan

You can make the pathway bright,
Fill the soul with heaven’s light,
If there’s sunshine in your heart;
Turning darkness into day,
As the shadows fly away,
If there’s sunshine in your heart today.

If there’s sunshine in your heart,
You can send a shining ray
That will turn the night to day;
And your cares will all depart,
If there’s sunshine in your heart today.

You can speak the gentle word
To the heart with anger stirred,
If there’s sunshine in your heart;
Tho it seems a little thing,
It will heaven’s blessings bring,
If there’s sunshine in your heart today.

 If there’s sunshine in your heart,
You can send a shining ray
That will turn the night to day;
And your cares will all depart,
If there’s sunshine in your heart today.

You can do a kindly deed
To your neighbor in his need,
If there’s sunshine in your heart;
And his burden you will share
As you lift his load of care,
If there’s sunshine in your heart today.

 If there’s sunshine in your heart,
You can send a shining ray
That will turn the night to day;
And your cares will all depart,
If there’s sunshine in your heart today.

You can live a happy life
In this world of toil and strife,
If there’s sunshine in your heart;
And your soul will glow with love
From the perfect Light above,
If there’s sunshine in your heart today.

 If there’s sunshine in your heart,
You can send a shining ray
That will turn the night to day;
And your cares will all depart,
If there’s sunshine in your heart today.

Is there sunshine is YOUR heart today?  I hope so!  My sunshine has been getting stronger with each word I've read and written! :)  I am so thankful to be on the earth at this time and to have a loving Father in Heaven who has provided so many wonderful opportunities for me to serve Him!  

Here is my digital print for this post, I'm calling it "Sunshine Soul"~

Gratitude is so very important.  Our prophet is very big on gratitude.  He has stated on more than one occasion that one of the greatest sins that we can commit is the sin of ingratitude.  He is always a wonderful example of gratitude, and towards the end of his talk he expressed his gratitude to us by saying, "I thank you for your faith and devotion to the gospel. I thank you for the love and care you show one to another. I thank you for the service you provide in your wards and branches and in your stakes and districts. It is such service that enables the Lord to accomplish many of His purposes here upon the earth. I express my thanks to you for your kindnesses to me wherever I go. I thank you for your prayers in my behalf. I have felt those prayers and am most grateful for them."

How blessed are we to have such a wonderful example of gratitude and thanksgiving given to us through our prophet dear?  I just love our prophet!  I love him for all of the countless hours he spends serving the Lord by serving US, His children.  I love him for the kindness that he show in each word that he says and for the life that he has led.  I love him for the humor and youth and vitality that he still has, even at a ripe "old" age!  I love him for his willingness to set aside the things he would have done for the things that the Lord needed him to do.  A fabulous example to all of us of Christ-like service and love!

He ends his talk by stating, "Our Heavenly Father is mindful of each of us and our needs. May we be filled with His Spirit as we partake of the proceedings of this conference. This is my sincere prayer in the sacred name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, amen."

Amen to that, indeed!  I need constant reminders that my Heavenly Father is mindful of me.  Why?  Because I am one of the most insecure people you could meet.  Apparently it doesn't show very much, but my DH will attest to the fact that I am not one to have much self confidence.  The things I do the best are the things that I criticize myself about.  It has taken me YEARS to work on this.  I am grateful to a Heavenly Father who has provided a Savior to help me through this struggle.  He has also blessed me with an excellent husband who is a righteous example to me and helps me through the trials of life that I face.  I am also grateful for each person who has touched my life in a positive way.  No matter how "small."  Because in the grand scheme of things, there is no such thing as a "small" act of service and kindness.  God bless you all!  Have a fabulous day!!!

This post linked to Word Art Wednesday,  Think on These Things, Hearts 4 Home, and Scripture Sunday.

WAW: Matthew 5:16 & LBB: Priorities

Hi, friends!  I've been MIA from my blogs for a couple of days due to other obligations.  I was bemoaning the fact earlier today in my head  but realized that I had been doing the BEST of what I needed to do!  I was so happy to see that Abby over at Little Birdie Blessings (Scripture Thursday) was writing about the same subject!

Here's how my week has gone: Monday--time with my brother and  husband and a little blogging (DT obligations); Tuesday--an older sister from our church needed help with a job application that took almost three times as long as I thought it would, some friends needed to talk, I crafted and blogged; Wednesday--time with my DH's family, practiced the piano, making wedding invitations for my BIL and future SIL, dinner and more time with DH's family, NO blogging; Thursday--helped a sister from church with some things for girl's camp, practiced the piano, made dinner and dessert for my brother and DH, now blogging!

So, when I looked at it, I've blogged nearly every day except yesterday.  I was able to help a lot of people with things that I know God needed me to help them with, and I have felt productive EVERY SINGLE DAY.  That is HUGE for me during the summer!!!  I work for the school district here, and so I work full time from mid-August to the end of May.  Last summer my depression was very bad because of my lack of feeling involved.  How awesome is it that my prayers for seeing others' needs and for MY need to feel productive have been answered!  It reminded me of a talk that was given in our church's general conference a little while back about choosing the best part.  You can find the whole talk, intitled "Of Things That Matter Most", here.

Here's my favorite part of the talk~

"If life and its rushed pace and many stresses have made it difficult for you to feel like rejoicing, then perhaps now is a good time to refocus on what matters most." --Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Isn't that a beautiful quote?!  And what is more important that doing what God wants us to do?  I can't think of anything more important than serving God by serving our fellow men daily.  This starts in our homes and then can reach outward to encompass our community, our city, our state, our world.  And the scripture for this week's Word Art Wednesday is a perfect reminder of what God wants for each of us to do with the light He has given us.

Here's my interpretation (click to see it full size)~

This scripture also reminds my of one of my favorite hymns called "Have I Done Any Good?"

Here are the words~

Have I Done Any Good?

Have I done any good in the world today?

Have I helped anyone in need?
Have I cheered up the sad and made someone feel glad?
If not, I have failed indeed.
Has anyone’s burden been lighter today
Because I was willing to share?
Have the sick and the weary been helped on their way?
When they needed my help was I there?

Then wake up and do something more
Than dream of your mansion above.
Doing good is a pleasure, a joy beyond measure,
A blessing of duty and love.

There are chances for work all around just now,
Opportunities right in our way.
Do not let them pass by, saying, “Sometime I’ll try,”
But go and do something today.
’Tis noble of man to work and to give;
Love’s labor has merit alone.
Only he who does something helps others to live.
To God each good work will be known.

 Then wake up and do something more
Than dream of your mansion above.
Doing good is a pleasure, a joy beyond measure,

A blessing of duty and love.

At the request of Wendy at Each Card Tells a Story, I'm linking this up with Scripture Sunday, as well!  Thank you, Wendy, for stopping by and leaving your sweet comment! :)

Thank you for stopping by and reading my musings.  At least, I hope you read them! ;)  Feel free to click on the digital print, save it, and use it FOR PERSONAL USE.  It measures 4"x6".  I hope that you find joy this week in serving those around you!  See you again soon!