Continue as you commence

In Doctrine and Covenants I read this morning

"... it is because that you did not continue as you commenced... that I have taken away this privilege" D&C 9:5

When I feel inspired to do something, I pray for direction.  I pray for strength and courage, I look for ways to make it happen.  I am wanting to succeed, move forward, accomplish something good.  I often feel inadequate and need to trust my Heavenly Father.
So what happens between that and the middle where I seem to lose steam, or forget where my strength comes from, or slip off in the wrong direction?

"... but you feared, and the time is past," D&C 9:11

There are certain things I am asked to do.  I have the privilege of saying Yes.  With that Yes comes responsibility to continue as I commenced.  Because I feel that something is right and pleasing to God does not mean that I can suppose that He would give it unto me.
If I stumble.  If I doubt or hesitate or procrastinate or let my fear of the unknown paralyze me then the time may pass. The Yes needs to be for the whole experience.  A journey or adventure is always more exciting at the beginning. It is when the mountain gets steep or the sun gets hot or the thirst becomes great that we wonder if we should go on.  It's when we are in the woods and can not see clearly the destination that we doubt our path.

"For, do you not behold that I have given unto my servant sufficient strength, whereby it is made up?" v.12

We are invited to be tools in his hands.  We are invited to be enabled in our ability to truly serve through his love.  We are not amazing power tools ready to do all the work.  We are more like the rough materials that tools can be made of - with effort, refining, time, and patience.  He knows we will make mistakes and has provided more than one way for his work to move forward but

"...neither of you have I condemned."

He is ready and willing to forgive my shortcomings, my weakness.  He trusts me and loves me enough to forgive me and even let me try again.  Like a young child learning to walk, if I am willing to get up he will help me and cheer me on and see me succeed.

"Do this thing which I have commanded you, and you shall prosper.  Be faithful, and yield to no temptation.  Stand fast in the work wherewith I have called you..." v 13-14

As I answer each call with Yes I am submitting to the master's plan.  When I continue as I commenced I will be blessed to reach the destination he has planned for me.

Grateful:
602 Those who stand fast in the work wherewith they are called.
603  for a place to share today's study and scripture insights.  Please respect my testimony, my simple way of putting things together and learning a message directed right at me.
604 adult jazz class and a chance to move in new ways.
605 that I can make delicious cookies.  Wanting strength to stop with just one cookie.

Happy Valentine's Day and Birthday and Single Awareness Day

Valentine's day is a beautiful day full of reminders of love and joy and relationships and an excuse to do nice things for people.  At our house it is not all about romance though I do love my sweetheart.  I have tried to keep it through the years as a chance to tell many people in my family that I love them and am grateful for them and I like doing this with yummy food.

Ten years ago it became a birthday and now that is the main event and the rest of it is a side attraction.  We love celebrating Sim.

a real leatherman.  He is so excited.

He is such a joy and easy to please.  May I just take a moment to say he is so amazing and sweet. He is my fourth son. He has a way of sharing love and being thoughtful.  He is the son that says, "Mom, can I do anything for you?" and he means it and actually does it.  I admit his brothers think he is up to something but he just sincerely serves and loves.  He also goes into warrior mode when he thinks he has been wronged by a brother.  He is pretty fierce  We are working on appropriate ways to express oneself.

I do enjoy the playful Valentine's shared from Disney characters and some unique to the LDS crowd that make us laugh at ourselves.  I like the sincere, full of love, Valentine wishes that show real, unconditional love that almost always involves sacrifice and service.  And my heart goes out to those who wish there were some one  special they would be spending there day with.  Though there are those that claim "Save money this holiday and change your status to single", there are deeply planted desires to find that special someone and make and keep sacred covenants that lead to joy, happiness, struggles, unity, stress, learning experiences, and enduring who knows what.  It is Heavenly Father's plan that we create families here on earth. It is why we came.  Though things may not be falling into place the way we might wish it is comforting to know (as this article so beautiful shares) that we are dealing with appropriate and righteous desires but we can also enjoy the stage we are in.  Isaac reminded me of this today. He has a goal to reach 6 ft this summer.  He is now at 5'5" and does what he can (including a big glass of milk before bedtime) to make it all happen.  Today he said that he has decided that he will enjoy his current height because when he does get to be 6 feet tall he will be that tall for a long time and he will never again be this height again.  

He is a wise young man.  I want to remember that though we may be waiting for better things there are always great things in our lives right now worth enjoying.  They may not last forever.  Seize the moment and be grateful. Lets all strengthen the relationships around us and especially strengthen that most important relationship with our Savior. When that relationship is strong and right, all the waiting, all the patience, all the little moments work out and our other relationships improve in beauty and value.

Happy Valentines Day!  May you feel love and see the evidence of it all around you.

Grateful:

592 Love in all its different forms

593 My little boy who is now ten

594 hearts

595 flowers

596 chocolates

597 all things sweet and delicious.

598 My husband who proposed to me 30 years ago yesterday in front of the Provo, Utah temple, in the car because it was raining.  I said yes and we have been very happy learning, growing, building, and becoming - together.

599 My dear friend Shelly whose son is marrying today.  She has been very sick and has the opportunity to have so many of her dear sisters in the ward help her out.  She is constantly giving and serving. I hope she is feeling the love of receiving.

600  I have said YES to several ideas that have popped into me head and have found opportunities to serve and strengthen friendships.  It sure works great.

601 The strength that does come from a seed planted in romantic love, marrying and teaching children the path that leads to real and lasting happiness.  Some of those greatest lessons come from a father properly loving his wife and his daughters.  I 

602 I am so very grateful for my father and my husband.  They love and honor wife, mother, daughter.  Respect women.