Remember

grandchildren
Megan, Tyler, Ryan

   

 It seems that I start many of my thoughts by saying “I remember”.

    The word “remember” is used a lot in the scriptures, in fact leaders of our church have often told us that the word remember is the most important word in the dictionary.

     I read this morning where Nephi was reading from the plates he obtained from Laban and was trying to persuade his brothers to remember all the blessings that the Lord had provided them.  He wanted them to remember why they are here on earth.  There was a reason and a purpose but they kept forgetting.

    I find that I too have to be reminded why I am here.  It is so easy to get caught up in the world of Babylon and in what everyone else is doing.  The media, meaning TV, radio, movies, books and magazines all tell us we are here to have fun, be thin, dress like a fashion model and our homes ready for inspection at all times from our peers.   Our kids are to be dressed in all name brand clothes, always clean and get perfect grades and win awards in everything they pursue.  Wow! I remember the pressure that put on me.  Somehow I got the idea it was 100% my responsibility for everyone and everything to be perfect.  I just needed more hours in the day because I just never could measure up to what the world was telling me I needed to be and do.

     Now that I am in my 60’s I see things a little more clearly and I could care less about the influence thrown at me.  I stay as far away from all media that makes me feel “not good enough”.  Instead I find great peace as I spend more time in the scriptures and at the temple, which reminds me why I am here and what I am suppose to be doing. I am here because of a marvelous plan put forth by Heavenly Parents.  I am here to be tried and tested to see if I will follow the plan or go along with the crowd.  My goal is to get myself back home, to my real home with my real parents.  I’m just visiting here on earth and learning all the rules so I can follow them, so my journey home won’t be so painful. And I am to have JOY in the journey.

    I have learned that my family is everything, getting and building a relationship with each member is what it is all about.

Grandchildren
Ryan, Javen, Jace, Megan Tyler baby Nathan

     The most important thing I have learned is how to trust the Savior completely, so he can trust me completely, and that is an ongoing process.

    Peace is what I am after, peace that only can come from the Lord and that is what I thrive on from day to day.

    I find that by reading the manual “How to have joy on earth” presented so well in the scriptures I don’t get those down days.  Then when I immerse myself in the extra credit manual “conference reports” and temple attendance a priority, I can keep focused and stay on the right path which is very narrow, but leads directly to my destination.

He who rules his spirit has won a greater

 victory than the taking of a city.