Why We Are Baptized

 

 

 

We have an exciting event happening in our family this coming week.  My 8-year-old grandson is being baptized at church!  We are taught that children reach the age of accountability–they are able to distinguish right from wrong–at 8 years old.  So this is a big milestone in his life, as it is for anyone, and we will be able to participate in that this Saturday afternoon.

Today I just wanted to share this really good video with you that shows children telling what they know about Jesus Christ’s baptism and about why it is important to follow His example.  In case you have trouble viewing it, here is the link:

  https://www.mormonchannel.org/watch/collection/childrens-bible-videos/baptism

 

Share the Vision

 

You might be wondering why there is a picture of a chicken on today’s Morsel post.  Well, I was “scratching” around for inspiration on what I could post today and thought I would share something that I just read in my Gospel study–just 10 minutes ago.  

Along with reading from the scriptures (right now it’s the Book of Mormon) I read an article from the Ensign .  I am also reading Lead, Guide, and Walk Beside —a great resource for women as they serve with and beside other leaders in the Church.  This is a great book and I will probably be sharing more nuggets from it in future posts–I am learning so much!

This particular insight came from a chapter on being a leader with vision.  It is critical to your success as a church leader–even as a parent, committee chair, manager–to share your vision with those you are leading.  Ardeth G. Kapp, the author of Lead, Guide… illustrates what I am talking about with the story of “The Little Red Hen.”  

We probably all remember reading our Little Golden Book story of the little red hen who wanted to bake homemade bread–she was so committed to this goal that she could almost smell it baking in the oven, but it was a daunting task since she had not even planted the wheat to start the process.  She wisely approaches her barnyard friends to enlist their help with this endeavor and ,as we all know, they turn her down.  

 

 

So she goes back home, works hard and completes this project by herself.  As she is enjoying the wonderful smell of her freshly baked bread her barnyard pals are enjoying it, too.  They beat a path to her door to partake of the fruits of her labors but are not allowed even a taste, because they didn’t help.

How do you think this story would have turned out if Red had shared her complete vision with each friend that she approached for help?  What if she had told them of the great party they would have sharing the bread they ALL worked for, the bonds of friendship they would strengthen, the skills that each would develop in the process? 

Imagine how much bread they would have produced by working together, and how they could have shared their abundance with others down the road.

I love this quote from the book:

A visionary leader will help others see what she sees, hear what she hears, and feel what she feels.  When we share the vision, we inspire others with the real purpose–“the grand why.” There are many reasons why we do some things and not others, but the “grand why” is to serve people, reach people, bless people, and bring souls unto Christ.

 I know someone who has done all of that and more–our Savior, Jesus Christ.  He has shared His vision with us through scripture and example and He is the most successful and loved leader of all.

 

Image of hen from Pixabay.

 

Putting Things Away

Confession time:  I’m not a naturally tidy person.  I have a hard time putting things away in their proper place.

Don’t get me wrong–I love a neat and tidy house.  I’m just not good at it.

I also confess that I’ve let my house go a bit.  Especially during 2017, which was a particularly stressful year for me.  My priorities were all out of whack, my stress level was through the roof, and I felt ineffectual at home.

But lately I have felt a strong pull towards putting in the extra physical and mental effort (yes, it does take mental effort too) to keep things more orderly.  I have been setting my house in order, which is no small task when you’ve let your house go a bit…for a long time!  I’ve been dejunking, organizing, cleaning.  The effort has been, well, a lot of effort!  But the results have been so liberating.  It reminds me of this scripture in Doctrine and Covenants 93:43:

And now a commandment I give unto you—if you will be delivered you shall set in order your own house, for there are many things that are not right in your house.

Delivered!

Yes, I felt delivered when I finally cleaned out my laundry room and threw away/donated the items that had been stuffed on shelves or tucked into corners.  Delivered when I finally tackled my gross cleaning closet filled with unused or empty cleaning bottles.  Delivered when I let go of items in my closet, kitchen, craft room, and pantry that hadn’t been used in years and are now either in the garbage or on their way to a donation site to bless someone else.

putting things away in my cleaning closet

My cleaning closet now….man, I wish I had taken a before pic because it was MESSY!!

And while that scripture certainly hits the nail on the head for the physical order in my home, there’s another kind of order that I had not considered.

As I sorted, straightened, and cleaned my cleaning closet (ironic that it was one of the worst-cleaned areas in the house…the cleaning closet!) my mind began to wonder.  How did I let it get this bad?  Isn’t it so much nicer to have fewer things to keep track of? I can’t believe how relieved and happy this is making me–just putting things away in their proper place.

Putting things away in their proper place.  

I’m not quite sure how my thoughts then progressed (probably the Spirit, right?) but I began to think of other things that need to be put away.

Grudges.  Offenses.  Stress.  Judgments.

….and so on.

And where is the proper place for these?  If I put these “away” would I feel the same kind of relief, peace, and deliverance?

Duh.

The only place I can think of to put these is with the Lord.  What’s the saying–let go and let God?  Let go of those wasteful, dust-collecting, soul-draining, energy-sucking thoughts and feelings and let Him worry about it.  The weight of those mental loads is really a lot heavier than we realize.  And once that weight is lifted, we can enjoy that sweet feeling of deliverance.

It will have to be a matter of prayer, I think.

Please help me to see him/her as You see him/her.

Please help me to see myself as You do.

Please help me to forgive as I hope You will forgive me.

Please help me to handle this challenge with the Spirit.

If prayer is a form of work, then maybe the best time to pray for these things is when I’m actually working on cleaning my home.  While I’m in the middle of sorting, cleaning, organizing, and dejunking, why not reach out to the Lord and ask for his help in tidying up my mind and heart? 

Because honestly, I’m ready for that kind of deliverance too.

 

 

Finding Peace

“Angels, shepherds, and Wise Men sought and found peace from their faith in Jesus Christ. So will you. The Savior’s birth is the gift that makes it possible for the Father to give us ‘peace in this world, and eternal life in the world to come.'”
—President Henry B. Eyring, First Presidency’s Christmas Devotional

A friend recently sent to me a copy of a talk entitled “Peace in this Life”, by Henry B. Eyring.  What a timely message this is.  Our world is in turmoil; oftentimes our personal lives are extremely challenging for many reasons, both within our control and not so much.  But amidst whatever trials, challenges, another’s choice that affects our lives, or influences that can impact us on a global level, we can find peace.  That one word means so much.  Where can we turn for peace?  We turn to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, whose birth we celebrate this month.  The following quote from this talk was very meaningful to me, as I had just prayed that improving my relationship with my Savior would strengthen me on those days that are especially trying.  I hope it helps you and gives you some direction during a difficult time.

“It is only through following the Savior that any of us can find peace and serenity in the trials that will come to all of us.”

And it just now occurred to me that we should remember that our relationship with Jesus Christ, as well as our Heavenly Father, can make the good days even sweeter.  They aren’t just there for us on the rough days.

Image from LDS.org.

Inspiration from an Unexpected Source

 

We have been serving as Church Service Missionaries in the Welfare Services Department of our church. Our area of focus is in a regional Home Storage Center where members of our church, as well as those who are not members, can come and purchase pre-pack and bulk items of foods such as flour, wheat, sugar, beans, etc. for everyday use or for food storage.  Ask me about the Hot Cocoa Mix.  We have been doing this for a few months now and have really enjoyed our service.  

This past week things were a little slow, until a young mom came in to buy a couple of items while she was in the area. She does not live locally, but sometimes stops by when she is in town on business and picks up a few things.  She was probably in her 30’s, and was just a delight to talk to.  She radiated the spirit of the Gospel: her light was warm and beautiful.  As I sat there chatting with her about her current assignment in church–she is Primary President in her congregation–I was struck by how strong her testimony was of the Savior and living the Gospel–she has only been a member of the church for 4 years!  

I am 58 and was baptized at 8 years old, and she is more spiritually mature than I am.  I was honored and blessed to be talking to her and I kept thinking that it was so cool to be having this conversation with a perfect stranger, and yet, because of our beliefs we were really sisters.

She set an example for me that day of a loving mother, a beautiful daughter of God, a strong warrior for our Savior Jesus Christ.

It was a good day.

#LIGHTtheWORLD

light-the-world-pac

Amid the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, it can be hard to lose sight of what’s truly important.

God.  People.  Relationships.  Love.

Isn’t it interesting that a holiday season technically focused on gratitude and peace on earth could be so cluttered up with things that, while fun, are not what’s most important?

Would you like to reconnect with what’s really important?

Would you like to find a way to reach out to others?

Would you like to reconnect with God?

Then, “LIGHT THE WORLD!!!!  In 25 Ways.  Over 25 Days”.

From mormon.org:
During Christmas, we are reminded that Jesus Christ is the light of the world. This year, we have an amazing opportunity to share that light by resolving to do the things Jesus Christ did. Every day leading up to Christmas, we will focus on a different Christ-like behavior and provide suggestions for ways we can emulate His example. You’re encouraged to participate using the outline below as you plan your Christmas activities.

 

light-the-world-page-1

light-the-world-page-2

It’s so easy.  Print off the calendar (from here or from mormon.org). Just take a little time each day and choose an activity (either one listed on the chart or do your own thing!) that celebrates and demonstrates the Christ-like character focus of the day. 

Will you?  Will you take a few moments and make this spiritual connection to feel more love, gratitude, peace, and joy this holiday season as we celebrate the birth of the Savior of the world?

 

The Miracle of Us

A week in bed, basically.  Another week of limited mobility.  Two more weeks of restriction from exercise.  Another two weeks of restriction from anything but low-impact exercise.

Yep.  That’s what surgery will do to you.

I recently had surgery on my left ankle to repair a partially torn tendon.  All went well.  Hardly any pain.  But I did have a fair amount of frustration with my limited mobility. 

What do they say?  You don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone.

I thought I would enjoy a reason, an excuse, to lay in bed and be waited on.  And while the first few days of pain meds, napping, and Netflix were easy, what came after was a growing impatience for my freedom of movement.  

And I became very aware of how much I take the ability to walk normally for granted.  To bend, stoop, hop, even wear normal shoes.

Please don’t think I’m trying to garner sympathy.  My recovery has been pretty easy and basically pain-free.  And relatively short!  It just gave me a renewed appreciation for my body and the abilities that I have.

So I thought I would share this wonderful video about what miraculous, divine beings we are.  We truly are His greatest creations.

 

Traditions & Popcorn Balls

traditions-popcorn-balls

 

Traditions have meant a lot to me for as long as I can remember, but I haven’t always been that great at starting continuing them.  I can sure start one, but it’s the hardest thing for me to continue.  I remember a few from my childhood–oyster stew for Christmas Eve (for years we did this in our family until one day we realized that only one or two of us even liked it that much), opening gifts on Christmas Eve (still do that one!)—Trick or Treating at Halloween in the neighborhood with costumes from Mom’s Costume Box, etc.   This time of year really gets my mind spinning on what traditions my family expects on Christmas Eve–full from scratch Mexican meal, opening gifts. doing stockings, EVEN FOR THE ADULTS–and other things like decorating for Fall (my favorite season).  Hmmm….that’s not very many traditions.  I need some more.  

So a couple of days ago I was at the store picking up some things for dinner and I realized that my grandsons would be at the house that day and I needed to give them their Halloween treats!  I am trying to start that tradition with them, since I am not with them for the Trick or Treating.  So I grabbed a couple of different small bags of candy and I was trying to think of something else I could do that would be slightly healthy and I remembered something my Mom did for us when we were younger–homemade popcorn balls!  I loved those and did them a few times when my girls were little.  I knew it was time for me to start that tradition with my grandkids, so I picked up some microwave popcorn, some orange and green Jell-O and some tiny marshmallows, some Halloween goodie bags and pencils.

It was so much fun to share those popcorn balls with my boys!

Traditions are fun and bonding and build great relationships in your family.  So today, think about some traditions that you are already doing and some new ones that you can add.  And they don’t have to be built around holidays.  Some of the best are things you do together randomly that the kids consider as traditions, because they will certainly remind you to do them again!

I know it’s Mormon Morsel Sunday, but how about I share my Marshmallow Popcorn Ball recipe with you today?  Maybe you can make some for your Trick or Treaters…

Marshmallow Popcorn Balls
Yields 12
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Ingredients
  1. 6 T. butter
  2. 3 cups tiny marshmallows
  3. 1/2 of a 3-oz. pkg of Jell-O, in flavor of choice (3 T.)
  4. 3 quarts unsalted popped corn
Instructions
  1. Place popped corn in a large bowl and set aside.
  2. In medium pan, melt butter over medium heat. Add marshmallow, stirring until melted.
  3. Blend in Jell-O, and pour over popcorn, mixing well.
  4. With buttered hands, form popcorn into balls.
Notes
  1. Have fun with different colors of Jell-O, depending on the occasion. Hey, let the kids help make the popcorn balls--you shouldn't have ALL the fun!
Mormon Mavens https://www.mormonmavens.com/

Thoughts on General Conference

conference-points

 

Our Church holds two conferences annually to our worldwide membership and this year I was actually able to attend the Saturday afternoon session in the Conference Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.   While in Salt Lake I was able to take a really cool picture of the spires of the Salt Lake LDS Temple.  As I was preparing a spiritual thought for today, I just really wanted to share the photo I took and also a few thoughts from other conferences that I have watched and taken notes from.  Hope you gain something from what I share today:

  • It is not the work of the Lord that is frustrated, but the work of man.
  • In spite of conditions in the world today, we live in a consecrated time.
  • Your calling isn’t about what you’ve done, but what the Lord can do through you.
  • Simplify your approach to discipleship–start where you are.
  • No matter where we are, we are the Lord’s agents.  We are always on His errand.
  • We are not aware of what the Savior’s sacrifice has done for us.
  • It’s not the trial, it’s the load.  Bearing it is necessary on our path to eternal life.  Don’t expect to carry it alone.
  • Keeping covenants empowers us–stay firmly on the path.
  • We were tutored in the pre-existence and were given trials and challenges unique to us.
  • Learn to recognize the power of the Atonement in your life.  
  • The Lord sees weaknesses differently than he does rebellion.

 

Okay, that’s it for now.  Time to get ready for church.  Happy Sunday!

The Vital Need for Daily Protection

read-your-scriptures

 

Can you agree with me that the world is a crazier, darker place right now than it has ever been before?  Daily reminders abound to freak me out.  Stress over the presidential election, terrorism rising at a deadly rate,  wars and rumors of wars, natural and not-so-natural disasters everywhere you turn.  Maybe I need to stay away from Facebook, or watch the national news a little less–though that is hard to do.  And then there is the busyness of everyday life!  My goodness.  So much going on, and not enough time to sift through it and choose over Good, Better, Best.

Today, as I pondered what to share with you, an image came to mind that I did see on Facebook.  A friend had shared this and when I saw it, it immediately gave me a sense of peace.  

 

I was reminded that if we will take the time to do our personal spiritual preparation–study, meditation, scripture reading, praying, whatever you do to connect to a higher power–we will be protected and will be putting on a spiritual armor that will help to protect and shield us, as much as possible, from those things that would attempt to destroy us and pull us down to a level where we just do NOT want to be.

Do this for yourself, do this with your families.  Strengthen your soul.  Prepare for your everyday battles.

 

Image Source: I do not know where this image originated.  If you do, please let me know and I will give appropriate attribution.  Thanks.