When Looking for God in our Lives, Hindsight is 20/20.

For most people the Holidays are a time of happiness and joy.  Despite the lack of sunshine, the cold weather, and the other stresses which come with the Season, it is a time of warmth, giving, and love.  On the left is a picture out of the front door of my families home in Colorado last winter.  It is no coincidence that to start the Christmas season we have Thanksgiving.  I have often heard testimony of others; as well in my own life how when we take time to count our blessings we are able to see how much the Lord has blessed us in our lives.  I remember our Branch President shared a curious verse which illustrated this point in one of our meetings.  This comes from the Old Testament with the Lord talking with Moses in the Tabernacle.

Exodus 33: 23 “And I will take away mine hand, and thou shalt see my back parts: but my face shall not be seen.”

Family Pets, Falling Rocks, a Few of my Favorite Things

Following Elder Howden’s example, I have also decided to write a few of my thoughts on some things I am grateful for with Thanksgiving coming up so soon.  I tried looking around the room we are in for inspiration (my desk is in the bottom right of the picture) but all I could really think about was how much I wanted to get out.  I figured the wisest thing would be to go with what I had been given.  Today, I am grateful for Nature and the many wonderful creations we have.  Plants and scenery are nice, but they don’t really do too much for me.  They just kind of sit there.  But, what I am most grateful for is the interactions we find in nature.

Sacrament Inspirations - Gratitude

I feel fast and testimony meetings are always a great blessing and opportunity to feel an increased measure of the spirit.  In a recent devotional here at the MTC Elder Richard G. Scott talked about how learning to recognize and follow the spirit is something which we learn throughout our lives.  Similarly, I feel fasting is an opportunity we have to feel an increased measure of the spirit in our lives.  To start the fast and testimony meeting today in the spirit of Thanksgiving which is coming up, the Bishop shared this verse from the Doctrine and Covenants:

Have You Thanked Your Personal Cheerleaders Today?

I wanted to make a post on one of my favorite talks for conference, but as they were all amazing I had trouble deciding which one . . . so I thought why not just write a brief something about every talk?  I plan to make a post about every talk over the next few weeks.  I would like to start with Elder Holland’s talk “Because of Your Faith.”  I hope you will take a moment to watch it as well.

Every time Elder Holland speaks I feel a sense of urgency with the Spirit he brings.  I feel the spirit he brings is able to pull the strings in my heart and help me have a greater desire to work harder and do better.  As Elder Holland talked about the sacrifices his parents had made for him, it made me think of the sacrifices my parents have made for me.  Similar to Elder Holland, my parents are also paying for my mission, and supporting me with the incomparable opportunity I have to be here.  As I reflect back, I am able to realize quickly that it would be quite impossible for me to list what I do remember or for me to even remember or realize a portion of what my parents have done.