For All the Moms

The last two years when I received the draft of my parents' Christmas letter, I read all the amazing accomplishments listed for my siblings and then got to my single sentence and couldn't help but feel like it was all wrong.  I mean, it was accurate and succinct, as was necessary when trying to cram in details of a large, growing family in a single page.  Besides, there really just are no grand awards for the things a mother does all day.  But the simple and short sentence kind of made the impression that being a mom was uncomplicated, dull, and unimportant.

"Sherrie is rising to the challenge of raising three wonderful children ages four and younger."  (Last year it said "ages three and younger.")

The first year I just let it go, accepting the unfairness of worldly standards.  But by the second year of having the exact same sentence, implicating no progression or growth in any way, I decided to write my own. I borrowed a few of the fancy words and accomplishments of siblings and translated them into my world of motherhood.  Here is what I came up with:

"Well Sherrie is working on her Mo.M degree at HOME doing research into diaper brands and kid friendly foods.  She did another Internship this summer (her fifth year in a row!) and the kids just love her so much they can't afford to let her go (not even to the bathroom).  She is hopeful that they will begin paying her for her hard work soon.  She took first place in the Jr. Sleep Deprivation Challenge Championships for all mothers of reflux/colicky babies and qualified for the US Jr. National Sleep Recovery team.    She graduated Valedictorian from Diaper Changing Two Children with a DDCA (Daily Diaper Changing Average) of 5.  She also earned 10 letters in cleaning, cooking, driving, refereeing, consulting, nursing (as in medically), nursing (not as in medically), crying, loving, and counseling.  While the number of days the floor was mopped hit an all-time low in 2010, 2011 showed a huge improvement for a total of 6 days!  Don't miss her on Channel 27 news whenever they need the opinion of which snacks are easiest to throw in the diaper bag for outings."

Now doesn't that give a better idea of what the life of a mom is all about?  Thanks dad for always putting together a great newsletter and for indulging me in this by actually putting it in there!

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*Writing Tip:  Notice how length, word choice, and specific details can bring ideas alive and convey hidden messages.  The first example with a single sentence and no details implied simpleness and unimportance.  The second one showed complexity and excitement with specific examples, colorful words, and multiple sentences for a single idea.

Crash and Burn

Shortly before my husband left for a week-long work trip, I felt foolishly confident in my ability to handle everything on my own.  I had visions of sparkling rooms, newly organized closets, multiple projects completed, etc. Logically it made sense.  The kids would go to bed, I would get to work, then go to bed early and rise early to prepare for the day.  There would be no other person's preferences for how to spend the time.  I felt empowered, strong, and independent.  Who needed a husband anyway?

I still can't seem to figure out what went wrong.  Reality bull-dozed right over me and flung me to the gutter where I was feeble, helpless, and all alone.  The house and I were both in shambles.  All my visions were shattered.  By the last day I crawled into bed only minutes after the children and just lay there, utterly and completely exhausted.  I was like that annoying toy with a dying battery that starts to make a sound and then cuts off and repeats over and over and over again until you recharge it, but you can't because you can't find the charger so you just throw it against the wall until if finally spluttters one last desperate whine...and dies.

Well, I didn't die.  But I would sooner die than experience that week again. There was some good that came out of it all, as there always seems to be. Humility. I learned how much I really do need my husband.  Somehow his presence alone recharges my batteries. Without him even lifting a finger to help with the chores, my burden is lighter with him around. I can't explain it and I don't get it. All I know is it is true because I lived it.

Scripture Challenge: Week 6

3 Nephi 18- The End!!!

To Ponder and Apply:
How is "hope" a Christ-like quality?  Why does the Book of Mormon end with the destruction of 2 civilizations?  (Remember, it was written for our day).  What hope can come from those stories?  What can we learn from those people?  Why would Mormon and Moroni write what they did in the final teachings of the Book of Momon?

Bonus:  Liken the Scriptures
Insert your name whenever possible to "help make scriptural teachings more personal" (Studying the Scriptures, Book of Mormon Student Study Guide, 2000).  Also, sometimes questions are asked and no answer is given.  Take the time to answer those questions as they apply in your own life.  

"...for I did liken all scriptures unto us, that it might be for our profit and learning" (1 Nephi 19:23).

Scripture Challenge: Week 5

Alma 58-3 Nephi 17

**Random Tip: Want to be better at remembering where specific scriptures are?  Try not using a bookmark when reading and see how much easier it is to locate references!

 To Ponder and Apply: 

These chapters begin about 60 years before the birth of Christ, include His time on earth across the seas, and end with His personal visit to the people in the America's.  It would be very intersting to note any preparations for His coming, the state of society at the time, and any possible influences to the people while the Savior was on the earth, though very far away.  Are we seeing any similar trends in our society today?  How can we prepare for His second coming?  What were the teachings of the Prophets prior to His coming and how do they compare to what the Prophet is telling us now?

Bonus: Apply and Do

It's one thing to think about the teachings found in this book, and it's another thing to actually do something with what you learn.  The challenge this week is to find something to implement in your life.  Is there something you need to change?  Something you need to do better?  A habit you need to lose or one you need to acquire?  From the words of the prophets to the teachings straight from Christ himself, there should be plenty of things we could begin to DO.

"The real value of knowledge you gain from the scriptures comes when you live what you learn. Greater closeness to the Lord and feeling the peace He gives are just some of the blessings that come to those who live the gospel. In addition, the Lord said that those who live what they learn will be given more, while those who will not live what they learn will lose the knowledge they have (see Alma 12:9–11)" (Studying the Scriptures, Book of Mormon Student Study Guide, 2000).

 “Feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do” (2 Nephi 32:3).

Scripture Challenge: Week 4

Alma 23-Alma 57

To Ponder and Apply:
The first half of this section is still a lot of preaching, including Alma's instructions to his sons.  Continue taking note of common teachings and share with the group what might be the most important concepts to teach to our children.

The second half begins the war chapters.  What wars are we fighting in our lives? Who or what are our "enemies," real or imagined? How do we conquer them?  Are we the attackers or are we defending?  How can our personal conflicts be resolved peacefully?

Bonus: Ponder
Last week you were challenged to write down your thoughts as a way of pondering and previously you were encouraged to pray.  Below are some more ways to help you ponder and apply the scriptures to make your study more effective.

"The word ponder means to consider, contemplate, reflect upon, or think about. Pondering the scriptures, then, is reverent reflecting on the truths, experiences, and lessons contained in the standard works. The process of pondering takes time and cannot be forced, hurried, or rushed...

"President Ezra Taft Benson (1899–1994) emphasized a similar approach to studying and pondering the holy scriptures in general and the Book of Mormon in particular:

“If [the Book of Mormon writers] saw our day and chose those things which would be of greatest worth to us, is not that how we should study the Book of Mormon? We should constantly ask ourselves, ‘Why did the Lord inspire Mormon (or Moroni or Alma) to include that in his record? What lesson can I learn from that to help me live in this day and age?’

"President Benson’s teaching helps us to follow the counsel of Nephi to “liken all scriptures unto us, that it might be for our profit and learning” (1 Ne. 19:23). Thus, asking questions about and pondering the things we have studied in the scriptures invite inspiration and the assistance of the Holy Ghost."  (Elder Bednar, "Because We Have Them before Our Eyes")

Time is short with all the reading to cram in this 6 week period, but hopefully we can find those moments throughout the day when our minds are thinking of frivolous or worldly things and try to change our focus to what we have read in the scriptures recently.  I think we will notice a change in our speech and actions when our thoughts are more Christ-centered and our scripture study extends through the entire day in our hearts and minds. 

"Behold, I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things, if it be wisdom in God that ye should read them, that ye would remember how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things, and ponder it in your hearts."  (Moroni 10:3)

Scripture Challenge: Week 3

Mosiah 16 - Alma 22

What to look for:

In these chapters a common theme to pay attention to is how the decisions of the fathers affects the children.  Using these stories, how can you escape your personal bondage, no matter if a result of your own choices or the actions of parents or others?  If you feel no bondage, do you recognize your blessings and why you are blessed?  Are you rebelling against those blessings?  Why?  When making your own life decisions right now, think of how it may affect your children and even generations to come. 

There is a lot of preaching in these chapters to a variety of audiences.  Righteous believers, a little wayward believers, those who once believed and don't anymore, and those who have never been taught.  By noting the teachings common to all of these people, what are some of the most important concepts we should teach our children and know for ourselves?

Bonus: Write it down and Share

I would love to hear your thoughts on some of the questions above, as would others in the e-mail group I'm sure.  Try to keep a notebook handy while reading or jot down your thoughts as soon as possible afterwards.  Share these thoughts with a spouse, friend, or our e-mail group.  

"Writing down what we learn, think, and feel as we study the scriptures is another form of pondering and a powerful invitation to the Holy Ghost for continuing instruction."  Elder Bednar, "Because We Have Them before our Eyes"

 “You will find that as you write down precious impressions, often more will come. Also, the knowledge you gain will be available throughout your life. Always, day or night, wherever you are, whatever you are doing, seek to recognize and respond to the direction of the Spirit. Express gratitude for the help received and obey it. This practice will reinforce your capacity to learn by the Spirit. It will permit the Lord to guide your life and to enrich the use of every other capacity latent in your being. (“To Acquire Knowledge and the Strength to Use It Wisely,” Liahona, Aug. 2002, 12–14; Ensign, June 2002, 32–34)"

“Behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do” (2 Ne. 32:3).

Scripture Challenge: Week 2

2 Nephi 19-Mosiah 15

What to look for: Ways to have the Holy Ghost as your companion

Bonus 1: Holy Ghost Present
The goal this week is to have the spirit with you as you study.

“Scripture comes from God by the power of the Holy Ghost. It does not originate with man. It means only what the Holy Ghost thinks it means. To interpret it, we must be enlightened by the power of the Holy Spirit. (2 Pet. 1:20–21.) It takes a prophet to understand a prophet, and every faithful member of the Church should have ‘the testimony of Jesus’ which ‘is the spirit of prophecy.’ (Rev. 19:10.) ‘The words of Isaiah,’ Nephi said, ‘… are plain unto all those that are filled with the spirit of prophecy.’ (2 Ne. 25:4.) This is the sum and substance of the whole matter and an end to all controversy where discovering the mind and will of the Lord is concerned” (“Ten Keys to Understanding Isaiah,” Elder Bruce R. McConkie, Ensign, Oct. 1973, 83).

Elder Eyring: The Holy Ghost confirms to us the word of God when we read it. That confirmation, repeated often, strengthens our faith. And it is by faith that we overcome obstacles and resist temptation.

Bonus 2: Prayer
Prayer is one way to invite the spirit to our study. Pray before, after, or both every time you read this week.

“There is nothing more helpful than prayer to open our understanding of the scriptures. Through prayer we can attune our minds to seek the answers to our searchings. The Lord said: ‘Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you’ (Luke 11:9). Herein is Christ’s reassurance that if we will ask, seek, and knock, the Holy Spirit will guide our understanding if we are ready and eager to receive” (Elder Howard W. Hunter in Conference Report, Oct. 1979, 91; or Ensign, Nov. 1979, 64).

2 Nephi 32:9
But behold, I say unto you that ye must ^apray always, and not faint; that ye must not perform any thing unto the Lord save in the first place ye shall ^bpray unto the Father in the ^cname of Christ, that he will ^dconsecrate thy performance unto thee, that thy performance may be for the ^ewelfare of thy soul.