Changes

As I sat thinking about my life last night, and about this talk. I realized that I need to make some choices in my life. I try to do a lot of things, a lot of good things, mingled with somethings that are not so worth while. And I realized that I need to cut somethings out. I need to get rid of some of the good so I can more whole heartedly focus on the eternal.

One of those things that needs to go is this challenge. While it is great, and I think that I need to read more often, I really don't need the pressure of finishing my weekly book, nor do I think it should take away time from my husband, my home, or my Gospel study. I will still try to choose reading above watching TV, and will regularly post about what I am reading, But I really want to read at my own pace and really savor these books.

also...

Instead of doing a 52 week, 52 book challenge, I pose we do a different one. The Book Of Mormon Challenge. I challenge you to read the Book of Mormon in a new way. I am using one of my institute manuals and reading it side by side my Book of Mormon (If you want to do the same, you can purchase the manual for $4.25, I promise it is worth it!). Reading it with the manual has really made me stop and think about what I am reading and what I actually think about it. I try to do a chapter in the manual a day, it usually takes me about an hour (which I have never been able to do, spend an hour in the scriptures without being distracted) and can cover anywhere from 1-10 chapters in the Book of Mormon. After each lesson, I do the challenges at the end as well that help me to apply the writings of 1000's of years ago to my own life. Total there are 56 chapters in the manual, but I am only going to set a goal date of being done before the 1st of December. You don't have to set the same end date, or use the same method but I really challenge you to do this.

here are some other ideas on how to read it in a new way.
- Get a new Book of Mormon and highlight in a red pencil every time Jesus Christ is mentioned. (not just his name, but him)
-Read it in a different language (have the English and the other language side by side and go through line by line)

I think you get my drift. The point is I want to spend more time in my scriptures and less time with the FLUFF of this world. Even if you can only spare 5 minutes a day while you are doing your hair, I promise it will be worth it.

I hope you do the same.

Work and The Glory Book 2

So last week for week 4 I finished Work and the Glory Book 2. Great book, but I do get frustrated with how the LDS people and others who were okay with them were treated. It makes me so mad when others persecute anyone when they don't understand them.

Anyway I finished that volume and then realized with my new job I will probably not have time right now to read the rest. They are long books and I don't have a lot of time to read anymore, so I am going to have to try shorter books for a while.

Work and the Glory

For week 3, I decided to start reading the "Work and the Glory" series. It will take me 9 weeks to finish. Of course, I started with Book 1: "Pillar of Light." I have read this series a couple of times already, but I went in with a new attitude. I wanted to find something new and feel something new.

I have been trying to come closer to my Savior this past year, so I wanted to read this book with this closer faith in Christ.

Reading the story of how Joseph Smith saw God, the Father and Jesus Christ is always amazing. This time though I felt as if I was really, truly there. I have always put myself in the story, but this time it felt real. I did not feel doubt about whether I would have believed or not. It was easy to see myself there and believe and know that the things which happened are true.

I enjoyed it so much more this time. What a great series of books. I love them.

No Doubt About It

I am overdue to let you know what book I read for week two. I read Sheri Dew's book "No Doubt About It."



It was a long but wonderful book. It is about the truths that she no longer has any doubt about.

One thing she talked about is that this life is a test: it's only a test. She quoted a journalist who worked for the Saturday Evening Post and was stationed in Europe during the 1930s as Hitler rose to power. He spoke at a convention in Toronto in 1941 about Hitlers rise to power and said, "Before this epoch is overk, every living human [will have to make a choice]. Every living human being will have lined up with Hitler or against him. Every living human being will have opposed this onslaught or supported it. For if he tries to make no choice, that in itself is a choice. If he takes no side, He is on Hitler's side. If he does not act, that is an act -- for Hitler."

Sheri Dew compared that with us making our choice in this life. We will all have to decide to line up with either the Savior or Satan. We will either be opposed to his evil works or support them. If we try to make no choice, that in itself is a choice. For if we take no side, we will be, in essence, on Satan's side. If we don't act for the Lord, we are acting for the adversary.

What a powerful way to look at it. It makes me want to try harder every day to show I have chosen the Lord's side.

Another part of the book she talked about the privileges we have from being a part of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

1. When we want to give up we can remember that the view we will have at the top will be grand if we endure to the end.
2. We have friends and loved ones, including our Father in Heaven and our Savior, Jesus Christ, to give us encouragement to help us keep going.
3. I have the ability and right to decide for myself if I will keep going. I have my agency.
4. Our reward at the end will exceed all our expectations.
5. You have to do the work. There are no shortcuts, but it will be worth it.

There are so many other wonderful ideas in this book, but the last one that really struck me was about following the prophet because he knows the way. She had a thought that said, "The living prophet will help us find the way. But if we don't listen to the prophet, we might as well not have one."

I remember when President Hinckley gave his talk about girls having only one set of earrings and people should not get tattoos. I was talking to a lady at my kids school, who is a member of the church. She said that she was going to go get another set of earrings and a tattoo because the prophet told her she shouldn't. I thought how silly that was, but after reading this chapter in the book I had to take stock of what I do. Do I follow all the things the prophet tells me to do or do I pick and choose. If I pick and choose, why am I following anyway. I decided I needed to be better and follow the living prophet.

I encourage everyone to read this book. It makes you think. Two thumbs way, way up.

How To Be Totally Miserable- A Self-Hinder Book

For my week two book, I wanted a book that was short and wouldn't take me very long to read. Despite my efforts in planning, it still took me longer that I had hoped to read the book. Now I realistically only have 4 days to read my book for the next week if I want to keep on schedule. Oh well, so is life!

I read the book, How To Be Totally Miserable: A Self-Hinder Book by John Bytheway.

It is a short sweet book on how to be miserable (and how not to be)

Coming from a family that has certain people who have a tendency to be negative,

I have really seen some of the attributes that he talks about in this book.

I realize that some people suffer from depression (myself being one of them, along with most of my family members) but that does not mean we have to be miserable. 

Depression is a medical condition, Being miserable is a self-inflicted state that requires action.

In the book John Bytheway gives an excellent list on how to be miserable

- Use your imagination to worry

-Believe that things will never change

-Think about your problems

-Don't do anything

-Worry about things you can't control

-Think about yourself

There are about thirty more, but I don't want to give away the whole book. 

I saw a bunch of things that I do when I get depressed.

I am going to start using them as warning signals.

I may not be able to stop the hereditary depression that runs in the family,

But I can control how I act, and maybe, seeing these warning signals before I get sad will help. 

One in particular was sleeping too much.

When I get depressed I sleep, and I sleep a lot.

But instead I can push myself to wake up.

I don't know about you bit even though it maybe hard,

I am always more happy and have more energy when I wake up early.

Another thing I am going to try is being accountable with your day.

Before you go to sleep each night make a mental list of what you did during that day.

Miserable people don't like to acknowledge accomplishments.

Even if it is a simple as putting on regular clothes, or washing dishes, that is still a note worthy accomplishment.

Over all it was a small good book.

I would give it 3 stars,

While I loved it, I know a few people in my life who could really use it more than me.

Press On

The first book I read of my 52 was 

I would have to say its a FIVE STAR book

It was just what I needed to hear.

The book is divided into 3 parts, all of which are meant to bring more happiness to our everyday lives.

He believes that the best way to find happiness is through:

1. Faith

2. Hope

3. Charity

He reminds us of the wonderful blessings that are in this life, and the hardships that we must tackle.

One part I particularly liked I am going to share with you.

He says "[the Savior] is mindful of your sufferings, doubts, and heartaches.

Then, the would would ask, why does He sleep when the tempest rages all around me? Why does He not still this storm, or Why would He let me suffer?"

(I don't know about you, but I have been asking myself this a LOT lately)

he then goes on to say, "Your answer may be found in considering a butterfly. Wrapped tightly in its cocoon, the developing chrysalis must struggle with all its might to break its confinement. The butterfly might think, why must I suffer so? Why cannot I simply, in the twinkling of an eye, become a butterfly?

Such thoughts would be contrary to the Creator's design. The struggle to break out of the cocoon develops the butterfly so it can fly. Without that adversity, the butterfly would never develop the strength to achieve its destiny. It would never develop the strength to become something extraordinary."

Have you ever thought that God might be making something extraordinary out of you? It is a bit comforting right?

A few other things also resonate with me that he talks about

-Be sure to read your scriptures daily

-Attend the temple when ever you can

-Always have a prayer in your heart

-Be of good cheer!

and Endure to the end.

Overall a great book to start out this challenge.

I am a Mother

I decided to accept Lizzie's challenge 52 books in 52 weeks. I have not been taking the time to read lately, and I love reading. It keeps me sane. That is why I accepted the challenge.

I decided to start with a small book because the week was already half over. I needed a shorter book (only 127 pages) to start, so I would be able to finish it by the end of the week.



The book I chose is called "I am a Mother" by Jane Clayson Johnson. It's a book about how we should feel about being a mother. So many times when people have asked me what I do, I have said, "Oh, I am just a mom." Sister Johnson says the same thing. Then she said she wonders why we say it that way instead of "I am a MOTHER!" with enthusiams.

She made me think of the times when I didn't feel like I was important because I was a mom or a women for that matter. Much of what she said applies to being a mom, but to being a woman too.

She talked about the myths of motherhood or womanhood that need to be debunked.
Myth #1: You will be in control... you are the mother, after all!
Myth #2: Needing help is a sign of weekness.
Myth #3: You must do it all, all the time.
Myth #4: Being a mother means a loss of indentity.

These are all untruths that Satan wants us to believe. Give yourselves a break and just be the best woman and/or mom you can be.

She also talked about giving each other a break. Quit judging each other as mothers and accept each other. We don't know what the next person is going through. Unless we have walked in their shoes we don't know what is going on in their hearts. Let's make each woman we meet everyday feel worthwhile instead of worthless.

It is in our power to help change the world, by helping to mold our children, husbands, family, friends and those we come in contact with. Be proud to say, "I AM A MOTHER!"