Learning from my past--Post #2

As I've mentioned in a previous post, I'm starting something new with my blog this year! I feel prompted to occasionally post personal journal entries I've written in the past. The journal entry I'm going to share today is a reminder to me that life can be really hard sometimes. It inspires me to remember trials I've faced in the past, and to see how the Lord has blessed me to rise above, persevere, and stay strong. I hope sharing something so personal to me will somehow be of value to another. (On a side note, I had to shorten this journal entry on Instagram--but this blog post contains the full entry). 

Learning from my past--Post #1

I’m starting something new this year with my blog! For over 20 years I’ve kept/maintained different types of journals. Two journals that have greatly impacted the person I am today are my “scripture study” journal and my “tender mercy” journal. In my scripture study journal, I record impressions I receive while studying my scriptures (pretty obvious haha), and for my tender mercy journal, I record how I’ve seen the Lord bless me that day and the things I’m grateful for.

Anyway, I’ve been prompted to share some of those entries. Obviously some are too personal to share, but there are some that I feel compelled to share (even though it feels really vulnerable to do it🙈). 

Occasionally I’ll make a “learning from my past” post, where I’ll simply share something I wrote in my journal at some point in time—it might have been 15 years ago, 5 years, or 2 weeks…just whatever I feel to share. I know it will bless to me to do this, and I hope it will benefit others too.😘 

So, here's my first "learning from my past" entry!

After my brother died, I was given a message

I fell asleep sobbing the night of my little brother’s passing. I’ve never felt such a sick, hollow, helpless feeling. In the middle of the night I woke up, and immediately felt overcome with all-consuming pain again. But unexpectedly, something happened that would profoundly affect my life, and would later bring about literal miracles in the lives of others. The words of a primary song entered into my mind. It was a perfectly clear phrase, and I immediately knew it had great significance. In the moment, I didn’t recall the tune from the song or the name of the song, but the words were clear and exact,

“What does the Father ask of us? What do the scriptures say? Have faith. Have hope. Live like His Son. Help others on their way.”

The next morning, those words played in my mind over and over. I looked up the lyrics online, and discovered the song was entitled, “He Sent His Son.” I was stirred by the message of the entire song. I felt sincere gratitude that my Heavenly Father sent it to my mind and heart. I called my mom and shared my experience with her. My family decided to have the congregation sing that song at my brother’s funeral. 

Just a few weeks ago, someone contacted our family to share with us how hearing that song at the funeral changed her life. It continues to powerfully impact her to this very day, 6 years later.

Since my brother died, I’ve had several other personal experiences with this song. Each time, I’m reminded that my Heavenly Father is aware of me and my brother is aware of me. Each time, I feel inspired to apply the message, and I instantly feel buoyed and lifted by my Savior.

As I enter 2019, excited to recommit to goals and make positive changes, I want to focus on applying a simple message—a message my brother was a true, living example of during his short life.

Have faith.

Have hope.

Live like His Son.

Help others on their way.

What does He ask? 

Live like His Son.

"Come, Follow Me"--keeping it simple for a young family

As a family, we set a goal to implement the new "Come, Follow Me" program introduced by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. To put it simply, it is a program to encourage more “at home” gospel learning. Each family gets to choose how to use the program to best meet the needs of their family.

Our family decided that in addition to reading 5 verses from the Book of Mormon with our kids (our current goal), we would add one verse from the New Testament each night and take time to discuss it together. The kids wanted to call this concept “verse talk.”😊 It takes just a few minutes, and it is helping our children actually learn and apply the truths found in the scriptures. The verse we choose to read each night from the New Testament coincides with the weekly reading schedule found in the "Come, Follow Me" manual.

So, on New Year’s Eve, we read our usual Book of Mormon study, and then read Philippians 4:8 together,