Thursday, August 26, 2010
An Evening Out
Last night we decided that the weather was beautiful and a perfect night for taking some pictures of the mountains. Mike loves the mountains here in UT and I have to admit, when I see them now I feel at home. They are beautiful right now, so green and lush from the rains. In a few months they will be snow capped. I believe I like them best that way, but I am wondering if you can get snow capped mountains and avoid the snowed in streets....just a thought.
Sunday, August 22, 2010
First Priesthood Lesson
First off, I want to say that I LOVE teaching. I learn sooo much!!!
The lesson today was a success, at least, I believe it was. If I learn enough in preparation so that I have more information to share when I run out of time, that is a good thing. Add active participation from class members and I consider it a successful lesson.
This lesson was a great thing for me. It was based on the conference talk by Elder Oaks, Healing The Sick. It added a level of understanding that I did not previously have. It also clarified some notions that I did not realize I had.
One of those was that there is no added benefit in the blessing given by one person over another if both are worthy and willing to administer. In fact, there is a greater responsibility on the one being blessed to exercise their faith for healing than for those administering to give a "proper" blessing. The meaning behind the phrase: "Thy faith has made thee whole..." is truly what is important.
The other, and this is so glaringly obvious as to be a "no-brainer", is that nobody can countermand the will of God. Simply put, nobody can give a blessing that will alter the decision made by God for the person being blessed.
"They were on death's doorstep, but my blessing held them over and we had go back and remove it so they could pass on..."
I have often wondered about statements like this. It was cleared up for me by a passage in Doctrine and Covenants 42:48 that says: "he that hath faith in me to be healed and is not appointed unto death, shall be healed."
As a result of this I have found that when the I am not absolutely sure of what the spirit is prompting, it is acceptable to simply give a blessing of comfort and strength verbally recognizing the will of the Lord in the outcome. Ultimately, this recognition and acceptance is most important as our faith should not be dependent upon outcomes.
The lesson today was a success, at least, I believe it was. If I learn enough in preparation so that I have more information to share when I run out of time, that is a good thing. Add active participation from class members and I consider it a successful lesson.
This lesson was a great thing for me. It was based on the conference talk by Elder Oaks, Healing The Sick. It added a level of understanding that I did not previously have. It also clarified some notions that I did not realize I had.
One of those was that there is no added benefit in the blessing given by one person over another if both are worthy and willing to administer. In fact, there is a greater responsibility on the one being blessed to exercise their faith for healing than for those administering to give a "proper" blessing. The meaning behind the phrase: "Thy faith has made thee whole..." is truly what is important.
The other, and this is so glaringly obvious as to be a "no-brainer", is that nobody can countermand the will of God. Simply put, nobody can give a blessing that will alter the decision made by God for the person being blessed.
"They were on death's doorstep, but my blessing held them over and we had go back and remove it so they could pass on..."
I have often wondered about statements like this. It was cleared up for me by a passage in Doctrine and Covenants 42:48 that says: "he that hath faith in me to be healed and is not appointed unto death, shall be healed."
As a result of this I have found that when the I am not absolutely sure of what the spirit is prompting, it is acceptable to simply give a blessing of comfort and strength verbally recognizing the will of the Lord in the outcome. Ultimately, this recognition and acceptance is most important as our faith should not be dependent upon outcomes.
Sunday Morning
Today Mike gives his first lesson in the Elder's Quorum. I taught last week in Gospel Doctrine. We are both so grateful to have teaching jobs in the ward.
I read my kids blogs and they have so much to tell...life is just pretty quiet around here. We both love our jobs, and our ward, and the friends we are making here in UT.
I have to say that I am beginning to really love Utah, but then again it hasn't snowed yet. The mountains are so beautiful and majestic when snow covered, but I have a feeling the streets aren't. This CA girl will have a lot to get used to once the first snow comes.
Have a wonderful Sunday!
I read my kids blogs and they have so much to tell...life is just pretty quiet around here. We both love our jobs, and our ward, and the friends we are making here in UT.
I have to say that I am beginning to really love Utah, but then again it hasn't snowed yet. The mountains are so beautiful and majestic when snow covered, but I have a feeling the streets aren't. This CA girl will have a lot to get used to once the first snow comes.
Have a wonderful Sunday!
Saturday, August 21, 2010
WOW!
My girls are doing these great blogs so that everyone can keep up with the family adventures. I decided today to be a little adventurous and try one of my own. Well one for Mike and myself. Not that we are having any great adventures like moving to Scotland or Texas, but we do have some great things going on with our families and friends and I guess ourselves as well.
So, here is my start of a blog, will need advice along the way.
So, here is my start of a blog, will need advice along the way.
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