My Testimony

I was listening to BYU-TV this morning and it always gets me thinking.  I was thinking about my testimony of the gospel and how it came to be.

I was eighteen years old.  I had been introduced to the Mormon missionaries and they were teaching me the lessons they teach.  Elders Soderberg and Mottishaw.  I've lost contact with them, I guess I should be glad I can even remember their names.

Each meeting had a particular topic and they would leave a pamphlet and reading assignment.  I usually didn't do the reading assignment, probably because I worked a lot of hours in those days.  But a threat to postpone my baptism made me get on the stick.  I was a person who believed, and I thought that was enough.

As a person much older than eighteen now, I can see the value of getting your own answers and testimony.  You can't let other people's strength be enough for you.  What if those people fall away from the truth?  Are you going to fall just because they did?  What if your Bishop robs a bank?  That's pretty unlikely.  But it's not unlikely that some day, someone you look up to will let you down.  It could be a grievous sin or just a matter of being inconsiderate. You need to have the strength to stand on your own.

A testimony of the gospel is more than just believing.  It's getting an answer to your question of 'Is this really true?'  The missionaries instructed me to ask a question that could be answered yes or no.  The question I asked was, "Did all this in the Book of Mormon really happen?  Were these real people?"  I knew if it was real, then Joseph had to be a real prophet.  Else he couldn't have translated it.  Then the church had to be true.

I went about studying and reading the scriptures for about a month.  I would often get on my knees and ask the above questions.  I was mindful of it even when going about my day.  There is something more.  I told the Lord I would do what he wanted me to do.  If this was his true church, I would be baptized.  And live it.

One day, I was sitting on my bed and asking these questions again.  A feeling came over me which I had never felt before.  It seemed to go from the top of my head to the soles of my feet.  A chill.  But accompanied by an extremely peaceful and loving feeling.  It spoke to my soul.  I remember thinking, at the time, that it filled the room to the corners.  But anyone outside of the room would not feel it. I know now that this was the Holy Ghost.  This is how He answers prayer.

Too much stuff

We have been spending so much time moving all our stuff, trying to sell stuff, practically giving stuff away.  If I could go back in time, I would not allow so much to accumulate.  Maybe have a plan to have a yearly yard sale. Go through drawers and closets to dejunk.  Give to charity.  Keeping things organized would help with overbuying.  I wouldn't buy more if I knew how many I already had.

Stalling my own dementia

As I watch my sister sink deeper into dementia, I feel frustrated at not being able to do anything for her.  I notice my own memory getting worse and worse.  I guess all we can do is take care of ourselves.  I exercised this morning.  Not to look good, but to get oxygen to the brain.  And I lifted weights the other night, I should do it again tonight before bed.  I often do puzzles and games.  What I really need to work on is eating healthier.  I've said it before, but things like replacing the ice cream with watermelon.  And carrot sticks instead of potato chips.

Yep, I still think he's the Antichrist.  You know who I mean.

Waiting for Him

Lots of stories in the news today about abortion and gay marriage.  I think I'd like to be an ostrich.  And bury my head in the sand.  Somebody tap me on the shoulder when Jesus is here.

Are you a bully?

Ya know, Justin Beiber really isn't my thing; but why all the Beiber hate?  I read a story about him and all the comments were completely hateful.  People like to act like they are so against bullying.  Is that just an act?  Maybe we're allowed to bully certain people of our choosing?  Maybe it's cool to bully certain people.  It's all very funny until someone commits suicide.  I have an idea...if you don't like someone's music, change the station.  And be the person you claim to be...someone who thinks bullying is always wrong.

Walking the dog in the snow

It's the end of March and we just got about 15 inches of snow.  Is this what it would be like to live in Wyoming or Idaho?  This is more snow than I think I have ever seen.  So my problem is this:  my boots only come up about half the height of the snow.  I walk the dog around the yard so he can do his business, and the snow gets packed into my boots. We've only had the dog a couple of weeks, so we're still taking him out on the leash.  I'm ready to take my chances.  Open the back door and let him go.  Will we ever see him again?  I don't think I can do it.  We've talked about a shock collar.  I don't really want to shock him (except when I've gotten really mad at him), but it might keep him from getting hit by a car.  Stupid snow.

Hunter

About a week and a half ago, Don and Kelly took a little trip to Pittsfield and brought home a little doggie.  Well, he's not so little.  He's a black lab, and he's probably about a year old.  He showed up at a farm in Pittsfield and they went about trying to find him a home.  They checked animal shelters to see if anyone was looking for him.  Then they put his picture up on facebook on Tri-County Trading.

Our friend Nikki came over to see him and started looking at pet names on her phone.  Usually two of us liked a name and the others, not so much.  When Nikki read the name Hunter, we all liked it.  So Hunter he is.

Hunter will be an inside dog. We are currently trying to train him to not bite, not jump on us, walk on a leash, and house break him. Thank goodness for all the information on the net.

New Years Resolutions

My husband never makes any new year resolutions.  He says people never keep them.  That's probably true. Yet something in me knows I need to start fresh, again and again.  My biggest problem is narrowing it down to just a few.

1. Read my scriptures every day.  I've had good habits in the past, only to let them slip away.  Other things seem more important at the time.  But reading scripture and praying every day allows the Spirit to be with us and guide us.  I don't know much that's more important than that.

2. Eat healthier.  This shouldn't be hard for me, because I eat so poorly that anything would be an improvement.  I'll start by substituting fresh fruit and vegetables for some of the junk food I've been indulging on.  I haven't been feeling well, and believe it's a direct result of the crummy diet I've adopted.  I know myself well enough to know that I need to keep it realistic.  I'm allowing myself enough junk food to keep from the binging.

3. Use my time more wisely.  Spend a little less time on the computer, and a little more time doing something constructive.

4. (Speaking of something constructive...) Actually make some of the things I've pinned on Pinterest.

5.  Work smarter.  I haven't figured this one out yet...but there has to be a way to get more accomplished.  I feel like I never stop cleaning house and washing dishes.  I guess I need better habits like - put things away as soon as I'm finished with them.  Have a place for everything.

I should probably have exercising in there too.  I actually have more of a list than I think I'll be able to manage.  Well, maybe if I do something on the list everyday.

Later:  March 21, to be exact.  I was just reading over my new years's resolutions and decided that maybe I should start them.