Thursday, October 24, 2013

How Can I Learn To Be More Patient?

Get this week's lesson here.

My husband teaches the young men on Sunday, and he's started a tradition of introducing the lessons each week with a funny home video that "semi" has to do with the lesson topic.  I've given in.  It's ridiculous.  So here is my "Patience" video to kick off the beginning of class.

PATIENCE


Invite each young woman to write on a piece of paper a situation that would require patience (encourage them to include not just major traumas but also day-to-day irritations or inconveniences). Have them exchange papers with another young woman, write a response that would show patience, and then share with the class what they have written.

I made these papers to hand out at the beginning of class.  The girls can fill out part one and exchange their papers so they can fill out someone else's part two.


I want to mention the scripture story in Mosiah about Alma and his people who fled into the wilderness and were later captured…

Mosiah 23
21 Nevertheless the Lord seeth fit to chasten his people; yea, he trieth their patience and their faith.

Mosiah 24
10 And it came to pass that so great were their afflictions that they began to cry mightily to God.
13 And it came to pass that the voice of the Lord came to them in their afflictions, saying: Lift up your heads and be of good comfort, for I know of the covenant which ye have made unto me; and I will covenant with my people and deliver them out of bondage.
14 And I will also ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs, even while you are in bondage; and this will I do that ye may stand as witnesses for me hereafter, and that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions.
15 And now it came to pass that the burdens which were laid upon Alma and his brethren were made light; yea, the Lord did strengthen them that they could bear up their burdens with ease, and they did submit cheerfully and with patience to all the will of the Lord.

Has this ever happened to you before?  Through the Savior's atonement, your burdens can be lightened and you can endure your trials with ease.

I've always wondered about the story where Christ was carrying his cross through the streets and they pulled a man out of the crowd to help him.  I wonder if Heavenly Father allowed that to happen so the Savior could have the opportunity to experience what it feels like to have a burden lifted from His shoulders.  It's like foreshadowing of what He would do later in each of our lives.  How special must that moment have been?

If you look back at the scripture we read in Mosiah, I think a key word in the last verse was CHEERFUL ("they did submit cheerfully…").  We can't just drag ourselves through adversity, we have to continue to have a positive attitude.  No matter what we're dealing with, we can always look around and find things to be thankful for.

ACTIVITY: Give the YW ten seconds to look around the room and try to memorize everything RED in the room.  Make everyone close their eyes and catch them off guard by then asking them to list everything YELLOW they saw.  Explain to them that if we're too busy focusing on everything that's negative in our lives, we miss out on all of the positive blessings surrounding us at the same time.

When Frodo had to destroy the ring and wished it never came to him and that none of this had happened, Gandalf explained:
"So do all who live to see such times, but that is not for them to decide.  All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us."


Nerd.  Yes, I am a nerd.

Marjorie Pay Hinckley has the best quotes.  I tried to make a handout for one of them, but I ran out of room.  So it's only parts of her quote put together, but it gives the same message  … I tried.


My particular assignment right now is to prepare to be a mother.  This time spent waiting has taught me a lot about patience.  I have learned to trust in the Lord and recognize that He has a better timetable than me and that there's a reason why we haven't been able to have kids.  I don't know the reason yet, but I'm sure when I look back, everything will make sense someday.


I want to explain to the girls how there will be times when we think we know what's best.  But what we don't realize is that we only see a little piece to the puzzle and our Heavenly Father is looking at the whole picture.  I found these pictures at floorsix.blogspot.com that I thought would make a fun activity. The girls can look at these close up shots and try and guess what each picture is.

CLOSE UP

WHOLE PICTURE


CLOSE UP

WHOLE PICTURE


CLOSE UP

WHOLE PICTURE

Also, I have to share this video.  I love President Uchtdorf.  This is seriously one of my favorites…


Thursday, October 17, 2013

How Can I Become More Christlike?

Get this week's lesson here.


"Therefore I would that ye should be perfect even as I, or your Father who is in heaven is perfect."
-3 Nephi 12:48

Give each young woman a copy of the attribute activity on page 126 of Preach My Gospel, and ask her to take a few minutes to complete the self-evaluation. Invite the young women to share what they learn from this activity. Invite a few to share a Christlike attribute they admire in another class member or a family member.


Download PDF version here.

Tuesday, October 1, 2013

Isley's Baptism

My sweet little niece recently turned eight years old and made the decision to get baptized.  You know how most baptisms have that awkward 10 minutes right after the baptism ordinance is performed where the audience tries to think of something to do to kill time while the kid is changing in the bathroom?  And everyone usually ends up singing lots of primary songs?

I asked Isley if she wanted me to interview her and make a little baptism video that could be playing for everyone while they waited for her to change and she was all about it.  She ended up getting baptized the same day as her best friend, so we made it a video of both of them.  We met at the temple and just had fun walking around taking pictures.


Then I was honored when she asked me to speak on The Holy Ghost at her baptism.

I made the girls think about the best Christmas or Birthday gift they ever received.  I told them about how when I was their age I got a Princess Wishing Star for Christmas.  Does anyone else remember these??  (Starts at 00:15)


Then I told them how today they get to receive one of the GREATEST gifts they'll ever get in their lives ... Better than 500 Princess Wishing Stars!!!  They'll receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Unlike Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, who have glorified bodies of flesh and bones, the Holy Ghost is a personage of spirit who communicates to our spirits through feelings and impressions.


He can be your best friend.  Think of all the traits it takes to be a best friend.  It's someone who...
Helps you be a better person,
comforts you when you're sad,
helps you be brave when you're scared, 
tells you, "Ummmm, you probably shouldn't do that" when you're about to get into trouble.
The Holy Ghost does all of these exact things!!!

He is one of my best friends.  He has comforted me when I have been very, very sad.  He has helped me find courage at times when I was afraid.  He has protected me and led me out of dangerous situations.  He makes me smile, because I'm happy and uplifted when I feel His presence.  It is because of Him that I know I am a daughter of God who has a Heavenly Father who loves me.  I can feel the love of my Savior and so much more because I have the Holy Ghost in my life.  I am so grateful for Him!

I ended by giving the girls little gifts to remind them of the real gift they were receiving that day.  They got some cozy socks and cozy gloves to remind them of the comfort that the Holy Ghost can bring them.


He is the comforter.  As the soothing voice of a loving parent can quiet a crying child, the whisperings of the spirit can calm your fears, hush the nagging worries of your life, and comfort you when you grieve.

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