Regaining Faith

I am sitting here thinking about things and my life (although I should be cleaning our house, going to the store and making dinner before Jeremy gets home from football and our friends come over to watch the new Batman).

Anyway, I feel I'm regaining a new spiritual comittment to the goals we've set out for ourselves and am grateful once again for a husband that has a sincere willingnes to have faith in the Lord and his plan for us. This is such a strong quality in someone, that it can not be measured or replaced by any other worldly thing. It leaves me with great peace to know that my husband has such a testimony in the church and it's teachings/principles. I'm grateful that he served an honest and obedient mission. I have gained a testimony of this church inspired "program" through the faith and knowledge that he acquired so strongly on his mission. It will always be a foundational rock for our marriage.

I know that I've written about this before, but I can't stress enough how "faith" is such a foundation for our LDS religion. The Priesthood is the keys to what makes this religion work and move into effect. It is through Faith that our prophets and apostles receive guidance and revelation for us. However, if no one had 'faith', then nothing would have ever moved forward. People that think to much about our religion and use their logic as a road block are not practicing faith. Logic is of man and man's understanding will never know the secrets of the next life... at least not right now.

As juvenille as this may be (I need the visual), I went and bought a 2008-2009 organizer/calendar and have dedicated it solely to our spiritual goals. This is so we can see our progress and diligence in trying our best to do the little things that are so hard to do. It includes a daily check off for personal prayer, scripture study, family prayer (AM/PM), FHE, Fast Sunday, going to church (all 3 hrs), reading the sunday school lesson/Ensign, paying tithing/fast offerings, Home Teaching, Visiting Teaching, etc, etc... You get the point. We get stickers in it each day for each item we accomplish "Together". We don't get stickers if only one of us does it. Also there is a space in the calendar that we can write a short journal entry each day. I was just going back reading through them and its amazing how you can already see the difference in our feelings in general. I have also found that I look forward to our time together at night to read, pray and discuss things. Because it is a priority, we put effort into turning the t.v. off at night or getting to our scriptures early before we are too tired. In turn we talk more and have a higher quality of conversation and I know we are growing closer each day... a natural belssing from doing what is right for us.

We are trying to build and maintain good habits and routines and this should be top of our priority list for all other things in our lives to fall into place. Sure there will be trials, but we need to stay diligent.

If there's one thing I've learned from my mom, it's faith. She is one of the most faithful people I have ever met. She never doubts the Lord and never questions any event that happens in life (good or bad) if she knows she is doing all she can on her part. She is one of the most sincere and giving people I know. She will give and give to those around her whether she knows them one minute or 10 years (give of her time, efforts, money... the shirt off her back) and she truly never expects anything in return. She is always thinking of other people and doing stuff for others unannounced. She is concerned for the lives of those around her and remembers the small things they tell her of their trials. One day she'll show up on their doorstep with a meal for their family or with candy and General Conference games for their kids, but she always thinks of others before herself. She has also taught me to always be the better person in any situation, even if someone has wronged you. I've seen her do it many times and she has proven on many occassions to be the better person, and she does it sincerely with no negativity spoken of it after the factg. Mom, you are truly and amazing person and have a big heart! Love you mom! Thank you for always being a guiding light in my life and teaching me the tools to pass on to my soon to be family.

PS. I think we'll be blessing Teagan in February 2009 (put that on the tentative calendar) and we are planning on getting sealed in the Manti Temple on our 1 year anniversary, 4.28.09 with our soon to be 'little man'. :)