This week I have felt worried about extended family, stressed and angry and scared about the economic crisis, bugged and overwhelmed at the difficulty that is All-Day Mothering, uncomfortable and hormonal during this last month of pregnancy.
And, juxtaposed against these negative feelings, I've felt edified and inspired. I thought I'd leave a list:
Things that have lifted me lately
1. The Book of Mormon. I am reading 3 Nephi right now and am simply amazed at the correlation between those chapters and times and the time we are living in now. But instead of feeling scared and confused, I am reassured by the Spirit as I read, that we will be okay. Nephi and Gidgiddoni were prophets who clearly told the people in Book of Mormon times how they could be safe. The people who followed them were safe. We, too, have prophets who speak with our Heavenly Father and receive clear directions on how we can achieve safety (physical, family, financial, spiritual) in troubled times. I have felt much peace as I have read the scriptures this week.
2. The blog written by CJane. Many bloggers out there know about the CJane/Stephanie and Christian situation, but if you don't, please take the time to find out. Stephanie and her husband, parents of 4 children, were severely burned in a plane crash. They have been in medically induced comas for 6 weeks and she is still in critical condition. Her sister, Courtney (or Cjane) has been chronicling their situation on her blog. It is the first post I look for in the morning, and I never read a post that doesn't give me joy and fill me with the Spirit as she testifies of joy in trials, the Plan of Salvation, the blessings of Charity and the pure Love of Christ.
3. A baby in my tummy. Don't get me wrong. I whine constantly. But I am so grateful I get to have this sweet baby. I'm grateful I get to feel the sweet connection to Heaven during childbirth and the newborn stage. I'm grateful that I get one more child to learn from and laugh at and love. I know she will bless our family and I'm giddy with anticipation to watch how she will do that. Heavenly Father is so good to allow us to live and love in families and I'm thrilled to do it again.
4. Kenneth Cope's song Come to Jesus. I just had it returned from a friend and have been listening to it again. It is a profound and joyful reminder that we should and can turn to the Savior during all of life experiences: sin, joy, heartache, confusion. It is my testimony in song.
5. Elder Uchtdorf's talk during the Women's broadcast last night. I loved his connection between creation (our taking nothing and making something) and service and true, Godly happiness. It was inspiring and timely for me.
What has lifted you lately?
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20 comments:
I recently found a blog that I check daily for inspiration and upliftment. Stephanie lost a 2 yr old girl this summer, from a drowning in her own hottub outside in their yard. It is AMAZING to read her posts and see how she has brought the light of Christ into her life from this tragedy. The way she has dealt with this loss helps me look at my trivial problems and reflect on what really matters in life. Check the blog at http://adailyscoop.blogspot.com/. You too will be inspired and she has so much knowledge in the gospel and her testimony is like none other! She has grown my testimony by leaps and bounds in such a small amount of time that I have been reading her blog.
Thank you for your entry today. It was just what I needed to hear about Nephi and the Book of Mormon.
Well, my friend, are we living parallel lives? I so feel the stress of this time and have been looking to the scriptures for peace. LOVE Cjane and I am currently listening to Elder Uchtdorf's talk again RIGHT NOW. SO GOOD!
I have been reading CJane's blog, too. It is amazing. This post was positively wonderful, Jessica. Thank You!
I just got called back into Young Women and I have felt such uplift from preparing to teach each Sunday.
Fabulous post!! I love everything you said and I agree with each of those things you mentioned...they all uplift me as well, except the baby thing obviously.
I've been really inspired lately by consciously trying to be happy, and surrounding myself in goodness. Such as, listening to Hillary Week's new CD. AMAZING. Also, looking for God's grace and little wonders even amidst my trials. I kind of cringe when I hear the statement God is Good because I feel it's so cliche that it's disrepectful...but yet in other terms it's so true. He is amazing and when we choose to focus on that we can't help but feel love and happiness.
cJane's blog has been lifting me as well. I went to nienie's blog too where they are are reposting her old posts and she had a whole series on the Proclamation on the family that was really really inspiring. I am crying the whole time, but also so feel so uplifted and motivated to be a better mother and find more beauty in my life, my children and to create more beauty.
You inspire me. I'm serious. I love to read your blog, and feel that connection even though we're 80 million miles apart. You write spiritual posts that make me appreciative of the gospel that we share, funny posts that make me laugh, parenting posts that teach me how to be better at the most important thing I have to do in this life, and witty posts that help me keep up my English!
Love you!
I loved Elder Uchtdorf's talk. It made me realize again how happiness so within our reach. Right in front of us. Now when I'm cleaning up messes, I don't think that I am cleaning a mess... I think that I am creating a space of beauty. It is joyful to create.
Jessica you create a tremendous amount of joy, beauty and goodness. Thank you!!!!
Perfect post for today! You're great along with your great family! I love you guys and can't wait to see you soon! Please call me!
I was at a work retreat this weekend and only caught Elder Uchtdorf's talk on TV after dinner. I LOVED IT. It was an answer to my prayers.
I've been studying Samuel the Lamanite and feeling the same way.
Ummm....I just got back from three days of refilling my cup. I hadn't realize how low it had gotten. I LOVED every talk especially Pres. Uchdorf.
Being there in the conference center in for the broadcast and to feel the spirit that fill that massive place when the prophet walks in....well you heard my testimony...my cup runneth over.
Jessica,
First thanks so much for the package, I got it and am using it. :) I also loved Pres. Uchdorfs talk. I came home and told Spence all about it. I've had some very uplifting, inspiring blessings lately. We are soo blessed. love you
I too have been reading CJane daily. And loved Elder Uchtdorf's talk. It's so good to know Heavenly Father sends us little reminders of why we are here and what really matters.☺
actually, your post uplifted me. i'm feeling very overwhelmed and tired of all this legal stuff going on, and my attitude is starting to reflect such.
so thanks for taking the time to post something uplifting.
I think--if we're trying hard to be close to the spirit--whenever we are being tried, there is the juxtaposition of comfort which you are talking about. Don't you think? When I look back at difficult periods of my life, there is always the duality of INTENSE STRESS and INTENSE COMFORT.
Thanks for your post today, which made me sit back and ponder these thoughts.
Hope you feel better soon!
With our family in town for Maren's baptism I didn't get to the broadcast. I'm going to watch it on TV though. Now you have me excited to listen to it soon.
I missed the broadcast and am bummed. I always leave feeling so inspired. Thanks for letting me do that here today!
I miss having you in our ward. You were always such a spiritual reminder to me of how I need to be. Thanks for the inspiration.
I loved Elder Uctdorf's talk - create and be compassionate, not to mention Sister Beck's talk. I mean she seriously rocks! We can do more!
I have become addicted to the How Can I Be? utube song, Ukulele version. I love knowing that somewhere there are 3 YM singing about how they want to be like the prophets of the BofM. I downloaded the song to my iPod and based a rockin FHE about it.
cjane is my favorite. every morning i hope my feeds tell me she has a new post. what a trial they're dealing with...
great post!
I will have to start reading cjane - I've heard of their story through other blogs but will have to check that out. I have been following the same blog as Lisa (adailyscoop.blogspot.com) and check it first thing each day. It helps me deal with my problems better and has changed my perspective on everything.
Great post, Jessica!
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