tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15510758853444945052023-11-15T07:04:18.105-07:00"And a Little Child Shall Lead Them"Isaiah 11:6--How Grant teaches me about GodChelseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09618989312718071927noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1551075885344494505.post-41923701739258998402010-02-08T16:08:00.001-07:002010-02-08T16:09:02.382-07:00NaptimeNow that Grant is a year old, he's decided to display his wisdom and opinion on everything. For example, naps used to be such a glorious time. I would feed him a bottle, often spoiling him with being rocked and cuddled, and he would blissfully slumber for a couple of hours. Lately he's taken up the attitude of, "(scream) But I'm not tired! (scream) See? Watch how much energy I have! (runs frantically, trips in his exhaustion, more screaming) Please don't put me to sleep! (screams turn to hysterical sobbing) Trust me, Mom! I'm a whole year old, and I know myself better than you do. (more hysteria) I can handle this! I don't need a nap!" And by this time he has spent all of the little energy he had and is pulling out all of the reserves to fight and run and go crazy, all to prove to me that he isn't tired. It is a very convincing show: all it really does is convince me of how right I am and how clueless he really is.<br />
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Why is it that I do the same thing with Heavenly Father when I don't want to do something, or when I really want something? "But I can handle it! I'm twenty-seven, and I know what I'm doing. No one knows better than I do what I need. Trust me. I can handle this!" Heavenly Father often says, "Fine. Have it your way, if you're so smart." And pretty much every single time I do I end up miserable.<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and </span><b style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">lean not unto thine own understanding</span></b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">." </span>Good advice from Proverbs, I think. He knows more than I do, so why don't I trust Him? Because I'm human, I rely on myself or what I can observe with my physical senses. So part of the reason I'm here on this earth is to learn to trust those things I cannot see or feel or touch or hear; past experience has proven that all these things are true, so I can go forward with faith. If God has never let me down before, He won't in the future! He knows me more than I ever will in this life, because He knows who I have always been. He also knows all things past, present, and future. How could I ever begin to think I know more than he does?<br />
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I guess all broken commandements follow the same pattern, don't they? It's a matter of us trusting ourselves over our loving Father, and as hard as it can be to allow things to be out of my control, it seems to get easier the more I do it. And it definitely makes my life happier!Chelseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09618989312718071927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1551075885344494505.post-41576636379773925752010-02-04T16:02:00.000-07:002010-02-04T16:02:40.082-07:00Self, Soup, Shots, Steering, and SuccessDue to a recent bout of car screaming, I hooked a plastic mirror to the head rest in front of Grant's seat in the car, and it has worked like a charm! He stares at himself, waves, makes faces, laughs as if he's with an old buddy, and when he's mad he screams and then peeks open his eyes to see if his buddy is doing the same thing. In fact, sometimes it seems to have worked a little <i>too</i> well. I've begun to feel like I'm the third wheel, to be quite honest, as if he and his reflection are conspiring against me. He started crying yesterday and I started sticking out my tongue in the rearview mirror with hopes he would pick up on it. He heard me, and without even giving me a second glance, he started sharing his new trick with the mirror buddy as if he'd come up with it on his own. The nice grocer gave us a Smarties, so when Grant screamed later on I handed one back to him--again, he snatched it right up without tearing his eyes off of himself. If I sing or clap, he shares that moment with himself.<br />
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I'm not in the least sad or concerned about all of this self-infatuation. It is expected at this time of life! As a one-year-old, Grant's entire world is centered on himself and his needs and wants. Toddlers seem to thrive on the same thing, and as frustrating as it is, at least we can know that they've only had a few short years of life and don't know how to look past themselves. Teenagers often haven't moved out of this phase of life, and even some young adults are stuck there. I think all of us have experiences that help us to grow up, to spend more time with humans than in front of the mirror, and to notice people other than ourselves. For me it has been a decade of church callings, my marriage, and especially motherhood that have helped pull me outside of myself--and who'd've thought reaching out would actually make me feel more fulfilled in life?<br />
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<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">"The Good Shepherd said, 'Feed my lambs.' So a woman feeds her loved ones, providing succor and sustenance just as the Savior would do. Her divine gift is to nurture, to help the young, to care for the poor, to lift the brokenhearted....To help another human being reach one's celestial potential is part of the divine mission of woman. As mother, teacher, or nurturing saint, she molds living clay to the shape of her hopes. In partnership with God, her divine mission is to help spirits live and souls be lifted. This is the measure of her creation. It is ennobling, edifying, and exalting." [Elder Russell M. Nelson, <i>Ensign</i> (CR), November 1989, 22]</span></div><br />
Along these same lines is another thought I've had recently. I remember when I was a child and my mom would tell me if I looked at the bowl of soup I was carrying, it would be more likely to spill than if I focused ahead of me at the table (something I wish Grant could learn since he loves drinking from a cup). I was taught in Drivers Ed that I had to go against my natural impulse to stare right in front of the car, and to look quite a ways in the distance. And I, like nearly everyone on the planet, have a phobia of needles, so when I get a shot I have to look at and direct all my focus toward something next to me, like the strange hairline of the cartoon teenager posted on the wall.<br />
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All together, these remind me that my instincts might cause preoccupation with myself (as Grant has proven), but true success comes when I focus beyond that narrow mark. The next example isn't of motherhood, but it has helped me make sense of all of this.<br />
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When I was younger I had a difficult time prioritizing things in life. I had a lot on my plate (more than I probably should have allowed), and I'm a perfectionist and absolutely could not conceive of not giving my all to every single one of those things. I knew I needed to put God first in my life (through reading my scriptures, praying, visiting teaching, etc.), but I knew that I needed to study, too, or someone else would get the better grades or scholarships. Or that I needed to rehearse during every waking moment or someone else would get the part in the show I wanted. Or perhaps that I needed to get even a few hours of sleep or I wouldn't be able to function the next day. Sometimes I did the right thing, but sometimes I let all the other things overtake the things of God simply because there wasn't time for everything. It didn't take me very long to learn, however, that if I would focus on God instead of myself, everything else fell into place. Even though I had less time to spend on everything else, my grades were better. My performing opportunities were better. My relationships were better. I found even more time to sleep. It often has seemed counterintuitive, since we are self-loving creatures, but it has never failed me. If I focus on Him first, I always succeed in the areas I need to.<br />
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So right now I let little Grant have a bawl with his reflection in the mirror, but one day I hope to be able to teach him that <i>self </i>becomes more complete when you take time to add <i>others </i>and <i>God</i>.Chelseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09618989312718071927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1551075885344494505.post-3494073176075253922010-01-26T13:45:00.001-07:002010-01-26T13:47:24.178-07:00Stop Hurting Yourself!<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">This morning Grant thought it was hilarious to hit himself in the head with his sippy cup. He would laugh and then do it again harder. It started hurting him, but he wasn't about to stop this fun game, so he would cry and then do it again. I would tell him to stop hitting himself, but he would just look at me like it was my fault he was hurting, and then would do it again. It got to the point that it was as if he really couldn't stop himself from bashing his head with the cup, so I had to intervene. This experience reminded me of something I read in Isaiah 1 a few days ago:</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">4 Ah </span><sup style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">a</sup><a href="http://scriptures.lds.org/en/isa/1/4a" mark="a" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" title="TG Man, Natural, Not Spiritually Reborn." type="B">sinful</a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, </span><sup style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">b</sup><a href="http://scriptures.lds.org/en/isa/1/4b" mark="b" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" title="Isa. 57: 4." type="A">children</a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> that are </span><sup style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">c</sup><a href="http://scriptures.lds.org/en/isa/1/4c" mark="c" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" title="D&C 38: 11 (10-12)" type="A">corrupters</a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">: they have </span><span style="background-color: yellow; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">forsaken the </span><span style="background-color: yellow; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Lord</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto </span><sup style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">d</sup><a href="http://scriptures.lds.org/en/isa/1/4d" mark="d" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" title="TG Anger." type="B">anger</a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">, they are gone away backward. </span></span> <br />
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<div id="isa/1/5" onclick="return toggleMarked(event, this)"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> 5 ¶ <span style="background-color: yellow;">Why should ye be </span><sup style="background-color: yellow;">a</sup><a href="http://scriptures.lds.org/en/isa/1/5a" mark="a" style="background-color: yellow;" title="HEB smitten." type="P">stricken</a><span style="background-color: yellow;"> any more?</span> ye will <sup>b</sup><a href="http://scriptures.lds.org/en/isa/1/5b" mark="b" title="TG Rebellion." type="B">revolt</a> more and more: the whole head is sick, and the whole heart <sup>c</sup><a href="http://scriptures.lds.org/en/isa/1/5c" mark="c" title="HEB diseased." type="P">faint</a>. </span><br />
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<div id="isa/1/6" onclick="return toggleMarked(event, this)"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> 6 From the sole of the foot even unto the head <i>there is</i> no soundness in it; <i>but</i> wounds, and bruises, and putrifying sores: <span style="background-color: yellow;">they have not been </span><sup style="background-color: yellow;">a</sup><a href="http://scriptures.lds.org/en/isa/1/6a" mark="a" style="background-color: yellow;" title="HEB squeezed out." type="P">closed</a><span style="background-color: yellow;">, neither bound up, neither </span><sup style="background-color: yellow;">b</sup><a href="http://scriptures.lds.org/en/isa/1/6b" mark="b" style="background-color: yellow;" title="HEB softened." type="P">mollified</a><span style="background-color: yellow;"> with ointment</span>. </span><br />
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</div><div id="isa/1/6" onclick="return toggleMarked(event, this)" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">We forget and forsake Jesus Christ, and He asks, "Why will you keep allowing yourself to be hit? If you would just turn to Me, I would heal you!" That same idea is shared by the Savior to the Nephites in 3 Nephi 9:13:</span><br />
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</div><div id="isa/1/6" onclick="return toggleMarked(event, this)"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Will ye not now return unto me, and repent of your sins, and be converted,<span style="background-color: yellow;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: yellow; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">that</span><span style="background-color: yellow; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span><span style="background-color: yellow; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I</span><span style="background-color: yellow; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span><span style="background-color: yellow; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">may</span><span style="background-color: yellow; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span><sup style="background-color: yellow; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">c</sup><a href="http://scriptures.lds.org/en/3_ne/9/13c" mark="c" style="background-color: yellow; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" title="Jer. 3: 22; Jer. 17: 14; Matt. 13: 15; 3 Ne. 18: 32." type="A">heal</a><span style="background-color: yellow; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span><span style="background-color: yellow; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">you</span>?</span><br />
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</div><div id="isa/1/6" onclick="return toggleMarked(event, this)"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;">It is childish that we keep hurting ourselves (or at least allowing ourselves to be hurt), and all the while there is peace, comfort, and healing in store if we would only return to the Savior. Even worse than that is when we blame God for not taking away the pain! That gives us an excuse to not have to change or repent, because it wasn't actually our fault, right? The Nephites displayed this in Mormon 2:13:</span><br />
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</div><div id="isa/1/6" onclick="return toggleMarked(event, this)"><span style="font-size: x-small;">But behold this my joy was vain, for <span style="background-color: yellow;">their </span><sup style="background-color: yellow;">a</sup><a href="http://scriptures.lds.org/en/morm/2/13a" mark="a" style="background-color: yellow;" title="2 Cor. 7: 10; Alma 42: 29." type="A">sorrowing</a><span style="background-color: yellow;"> was not unto repentance</span>, because of the goodness of God; but it was rather <span style="background-color: yellow;">the </span><sup style="background-color: yellow;">b</sup><a href="http://scriptures.lds.org/en/morm/2/13b" mark="b" style="background-color: yellow;" title="Hosea 7: 14; Ether 8: 7." type="A">sorrowing</a><span style="background-color: yellow;"> of the </span><sup style="background-color: yellow;">c</sup><a href="http://scriptures.lds.org/en/morm/2/13c" mark="c" style="background-color: yellow;" title="TG Damnation." type="B">damned</a><span style="background-color: yellow;">, because the Lord would not always suffer them to take </span><sup style="background-color: yellow;">d</sup><a href="http://scriptures.lds.org/en/morm/2/13d" mark="d" style="background-color: yellow;" title="Alma 41: 10." type="A">happiness</a><span style="background-color: yellow;"> </span><span style="background-color: yellow;">in</span><span style="background-color: yellow;"> </span><span style="background-color: yellow;">sin</span>. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: x-small;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Sometimes, we spiritually get to the point that we know we are out of control. We know we are hurting ourselves, but we don't know how to fix it. Luckily, the Savior does, and He will be there to help us as soon as we ask for His help.</span></span> </span> <br />
</div></div>Chelseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09618989312718071927noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1551075885344494505.post-89213536031073287082009-10-24T10:04:00.003-06:002009-10-24T10:52:37.792-06:00The Great Mouse Detective--Fear or Protection?As I wrote on my regular blog, I saw a mouse this week in my living room. My first reaction? Panic. I have a ten-month-old baby who crawls to every corner of the house--what if he got into droppings and somehow got infected with whatever the mouse might be carrying? Where on earth would I put traps where he wouldn't find them?<br /><br />My life instantly became overwhelmed by fear. I was scanning every room before entering, and never stopped checking every corner as often as I could. I was even more wary when I put Grant down to play. Worry consumed my every thought, even though we put out traps and cleaned up every crumb we could find. I knew there was nothing more we could really do to protect our son, so why was I so worried? Because there is a lot we can't control in life.<br /><br />I've been thinking--do I wish I didn't know about the mouse? Like Jake told me, chances are that it's been in our living space for a while now, but since I didn't know about it I went about life normally. I wasn't riddled with fears every moment because I had no clue that there was anything to even be afraid of! Is that the better way? Ignorance? Of course not! The better way is to know that the mouse is there so that I can now actively fight it. I can't protect my baby from something I don't know exists, but now I can. I don't really like it, but I'd never pretend to think that ignorance would somehow be better than this. Grant still has no clue, and that's fine. I'll take care of the work and worry!<br /><br />I've also been thinking--do I wish I didn't know about Satan or his horribly wicked, clever, scary tactics? I have to admit, sometimes watching the news is unnerving and makes me wish I could just live in a bubble. But would ignorance or pretending that he isn't real ever suffice? Of course not! So now I'm faced with the fear of raising a family in a degenerate and frightening world, and sometimes it feels like that fear might consume my life. But this is the better way! It is the <span style="font-style: italic;">only</span> way, because now I can actively fight against him and prepare my children as well as I can. I can't protect my children from something I don't know exists, but now I can. I don't enjoy the fear or the reality of Satan, but knowledge of him is really a way Heavenly Father helps protect us against him.<br /><br />Look at the rest of the world! So many people struggle and suffer and fall for his traps simply because they never knew.<br /><br />Here are a few of Lehi's words to his son, Jacob, in 2 Nephi 2:<br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">5 And men are </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >instructed sufficiently</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"> that they </span><sup style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">a</sup><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://scriptures.lds.org/en/2_ne/2/5a" mark="a" type="A" title="Moro. 7: 16.">know</a><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"> good from evil.</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">17 ...an </span><sup style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">a</sup><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://scriptures.lds.org/en/2_ne/2/17a" mark="a" type="B" title="TG Council in Heaven.">angel</a><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"> of God...had </span><sup style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">b</sup><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://scriptures.lds.org/en/2_ne/2/17b" mark="b" type="C" title="2 Ne. 9: 8; Moses 4: 3 (3-4); Abr. 3: 28 (27-28); TG Sons of Perdition.">fallen</a><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"> from heaven; wherefore, he became a </span><sup style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">c</sup><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://scriptures.lds.org/en/2_ne/2/17c" mark="c" type="B" title="TG Adversary; TG Devil; TG Lucifer; TG Satan.">devil</a><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">, having sought that which was evil before God. </span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" name="18"></a> <br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">18 And because he had fallen from heaven, and had become miserable forever, </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >he <a href="http://scriptures.lds.org/en/2_ne/2/18a" mark="a" type="A" title="Luke 22: 31; Rev. 13: 7; 2 Ne. 28: 20 (19-23); 3 Ne. 18: 18; D&C 10: 22 (22-27); D&C 50: 3; D&C 76: 29.">sought</a> also the misery of all mankind.</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">26 And the </span><sup style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">a</sup><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://scriptures.lds.org/en/2_ne/2/26a" mark="a" type="B" title="TG Jesus Christ, Messiah.">Messiah</a><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"> cometh in the fulness of time, that he may </span><sup style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">b</sup><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://scriptures.lds.org/en/2_ne/2/26b" mark="b" type="B" title="TG Salvation, Plan of.">redeem</a><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"> the children of men from the fall. And because that they are </span><sup style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">c</sup><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://scriptures.lds.org/en/2_ne/2/26c" mark="c" type="B" title="TG Redemption.">redeemed</a><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"> from the fall they have become </span><sup style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">d</sup><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://scriptures.lds.org/en/2_ne/2/26d" mark="d" type="A" title="Gal. 5: 1; Alma 41: 7; Alma 42: 27; Hel. 14: 30.">free</a> forever, knowing good from evil; <span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >to act for themselves and not to be acted upon</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">... </span><div style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" class="verse"><a name="27"></a> <div id="2_ne/2/27" onclick="return toggleMarked(event, this)">27 Wherefore, men are <sup>a</sup><a href="http://scriptures.lds.org/en/2_ne/2/27a" mark="a" type="A" title="Gal. 5: 1; Hel. 14: 30 (29-30); Moses 6: 56.">free</a> according to the <sup>b</sup><a href="http://scriptures.lds.org/en/2_ne/2/27b" mark="b" type="B" title="TG Mortality.">flesh</a>; <span style="font-size:130%;">and <sup>c</sup><a href="http://scriptures.lds.org/en/2_ne/2/27c" mark="c" type="A" title="2 Ne. 26: 24; Jacob 5: 41; Alma 26: 37.">all</a> things are <sup>d</sup><a href="http://scriptures.lds.org/en/2_ne/2/27d" mark="d" type="C" title="Alma 29: 8; TG Talents.">given</a> them which are expedient unto man. And they are free to <sup>e</sup><a href="http://scriptures.lds.org/en/2_ne/2/27e" mark="e" type="B" title="TG Initiative; TG Opposition.">choose</a> <sup>f</sup><a href="http://scriptures.lds.org/en/2_ne/2/27f" mark="f" type="B" title="TG Liberty.">liberty</a> and eternal <sup>g</sup><a href="http://scriptures.lds.org/en/2_ne/2/27g" mark="g" type="A" title="Deut. 30: 15.">life</a></span>, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be <sup>h</sup><a href="http://scriptures.lds.org/en/2_ne/2/27h" mark="h" type="A" title="D&C 10: 22.">miserable</a> like unto himself. </div> </div><br />Because we have been instructed sufficiently and are given all things necessary to succeed, we are <span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">free<span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span></span></span>! We will undoubtedly face fear, but we can fight that fear with our faith in Jesus Christ. Through Him and with Him we can never be forced to follow Satan or become miserable like he is. If we were to live under the false pretense that there is nothing wrong, we would be denying ourselves all of the protective abilities that come with knowledge. Knowledge truly is power. Through awareness and understanding of truth, and especially through the atoning sacrifice of our Savior, we have the power to <span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;">act</span></span> before the bad comes instead of just <span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;">reacting<span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span>to Satan as he throws things our way.<br /><br />I guess I'll choose knowledge (that might cause me fear) over ignorance (that will surely cause unpreparedness), for in this is the protection that has the ability to save my family.Chelseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09618989312718071927noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1551075885344494505.post-44342014406899024412009-10-19T21:58:00.006-06:002009-10-19T22:30:30.128-06:00Computers, Donuts, and DefianceI know you've all see it happen. Today it was sneaking up to the laptop that I unfortunately left on the couch, pounding on the keys with all his might, turning his head to look at me with his big brown eyes when I reminded him yet again that "no, babies don't play with Daddy's expensive computer." He kept those puppy dog eyes focused on me, and after a moment I saw his hand reach slowly back toward the keyboard. Another no, another pause, another attempt at hitting the keys--all while looking straight at me. Was it a look of, "I'll keep her distracted with my eyes while my hands play with the computer and she'll never notice," or was it a look of, "I don't need you telling me what to do all the time"? Maybe even just an, "Is she really going to take this away like she said she would?"<br /><br />It is one thing to make a poor choice or do something wrong without really knowing what you've done. We've all had those times--where as soon as we've done it we know we were in the wrong. I'm not saying that we should ignore the seriousness of such occasions, but I think there's a far greater danger in knowing exactly what we are doing when we go against what we know is right. We've been "instructed sufficiently that [we] know good from evil" <span style="font-size:78%;">(2 Nephi 2:5)</span>, and I think we would all agree that a significant portion of our poor choices each day are things we know perfectly well are wrong. But we do them anyway.<br /><br />In the past we looked our parents in the eye, assuming they would never be able to see through us, and with an air of defiance did things we knew were wrong. Now we do the same to spouses, children, doctors, bosses, professors, police officers, store clerks, road signs, government officials, bishops, apostles, prophets, and even Deity. Our thoughts may include the following:<br /><ul><li>"no one will notice"<br /></li><li>"really, what are they going to do?"</li><li>"so what?"</li><li>"the consequences can't be <span style="font-style: italic;">that</span> bad"<br /></li><li>"I don't need people telling me what to do all the time"</li></ul>My personal favorites:<br /><ul><li>"but I'm different than everyone else"<br /></li><li>"I know what I'm doing"</li></ul>We have been instructed sufficiently but <span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >"</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 153, 153); font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >a knowledge of truth is of little value unless we apply it in making correct decisions</span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >.</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> <span style="font-size:130%;">Consider for a moment a man, heavily overweight, approaching a bakery display. In his mind are these thoughts: The doctor told you not to eat any more of that. It’s not good for you. It just gives momentary gratification of appetite. You’ll feel uncomfortable the rest of the day after it. You’ve decided not to have any more. But then he hears himself say, 'I’ll have two of those almond twists and a couple of those chocolate doughnuts. One more time won’t hurt. I’ll do it just once more, and this will be the last time.'”</span> </span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:78%;" >(Elder Richard G. Scott, Conference Report, October 2007)</span><br /><br />Altogether too often, and with that air of defiance, I take the donut <span style="font-size:78%;">(both literally and metaphorically, sadly)</span>.Chelseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09618989312718071927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1551075885344494505.post-83959465628210117192009-10-13T15:28:00.004-06:002009-10-13T15:53:06.869-06:00The Love of a ParentI've heard this from parents my whole life, but now I know how true it is. There is nothing Grant could do right now (or ever) to diminish my love for him. Even after a sleepless night, I find that the frustration and exhaustion are overwhelmingly overpowered by the love I feel for him. I believe that is because the more I serve him, the more I love him. My stake president growing up once said, "Love the verb preceeds love the noun." My coworker, Alan Casper, told me that if that principle of service and love is true, perhaps no child will ever love their parent as much as the parent loved them. But the cycle continues as each generation of parents loves their children more than their own lives, and those children then do the same with their own children. God's love for each of us is so powerful that <span style="font-style: italic;">nothing</span> "shall be able to separate <span class="searchword">us from</span> <span class="searchword">the love </span> of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 8:39). I wonder, will I ever be able to love God as much as He loves me? King Benjamin tells us that even if we serve him with everything within us, we will never be able to break even<span class="searchword"> and give Him back as much as He gives us (see Mosiah 2:21)</span>. I don't know if I can, but I will try!<br /><br />I often wonder if God sees us the way we see babies. For example, Grant is constantly crawling under the piano bench and bashing his head against the bottom edge. I do all I can to keep him from it, but he finds a way. Even though he's learning that it hurts to go under there and knows that I told him no, he still does it; and I still want to kiss it better, even though I'm saying, "I told you so!" in the process. I do plenty of stupid things in life, and Heavenly Father knows this, but He still comes to my aid to help me. I'm so thankful for that!<br /><br />Every day that passes I have the opportunity to become more like Heavenly Father, who is totally and completely dedicated to helping His children fulfill their eternal destinies. Everything He does is for, as we can see in 2 Nephi 26:24: "He doeth not anything save it be for <span class="searchword">the</span> <span class="searchword">benefit</span> <span class="searchword">of</span> <span class="searchword">the</span> <span class="searchword">world</span>; for he loveth <span class="searchword">the</span> <span class="searchword">world</span>." As I focus on doing everything I can for the eternal benefit of my family, I am walking in His ways and preparing myself for my own eternal destiny.Chelseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09618989312718071927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1551075885344494505.post-8354893108307398012009-10-13T15:10:00.005-06:002009-10-13T15:25:58.213-06:00I Want ThatGrant always knows what he wants. I take that back--he <span style="font-style: italic;">thinks</span> he knows what He wants. All nine months of his existence have been filled with trying to get what he thinks he wants. Sometimes it is my food, which I will gladly share with him unless it is unhealthy for him (like peanut butter) or if it is something I know he won't like and will spit back out (like bananas)--but he's always begging, even after he's spit it out. He always wants to hold the object that someone else is holding, even if the fancy noise-making, light-up toy he is holding is so much more interesting than the piece of paper I've got.<br /><br />He used to be distracted easily, but lately he is determined that he will get what he wants. I've wondered, "Why don't you trust me? The things I give you are so much better than the ones you want!" Of course, he doesn't, and he probably won't trust me for twenty years.<br /><br />I'm pretty bound and determined to get what I want in life, but what makes me think I know more than God? "Heavenly Father, trust me. I know myself, and I know what's good for me." That is pretty much leaning upon my own understanding in life (Prov. 3:5), and it always leads me to unhappiness. Or it leads to happiness that isn't as wonderful as it <span style="font-style: italic;">could</span> have been. I've learned over and over that this quote is true:<br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"Men and women who turn their lives over to God will discover that <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">He can make a lot more out of their lives than they can</span>. He can deepen their joys, expand their vision, quicken their minds, strengthen their muscles, lift their spirits, multiply their blessings, increase their opportunities, comfort their souls, and pour out peace." </span><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">(President Ezra Taft Benson, </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Teachings of...</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">, Bookcraft, 1988, 361)</span><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></span></span><br />So I'm trying to trust Heavenly Father more, and to accept His opinions and answers to my prayers. Let's face it, He really does know more than I do.<br /><a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/193164.Ezra_Taft_Benson" class="authorNameRegular" title="view all quotes by Ezra Taft Benson"><em></em></a>Chelseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09618989312718071927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1551075885344494505.post-30385012342542405822009-10-13T11:58:00.000-06:002009-10-13T15:10:15.407-06:00I Need Thee Every HourWhile doing dishes last week, Grant was in his high chair eating a snack and murmuring "dadadada" over and over. I'm pretty sure he knows what that means, and he always says it when he's in a good mood. Soon he was tired of sitting there, and he switched from friendly banter to high-pitched squeals. That quickly morphed into his favorite distress word, "mamamamama," which is aways accompanied by loud whining, begging, tears, screams, and banging on whatever he can get his hands on. And when he doesn't get what he wants that very second, the sounds just get louder and higher (if that is even possible!).<br /><br />That is how it has been since he was three or four months old. <span style="font-style: italic;">Mama</span> was his first word, though he had no idea what it meant, and from the very beginning it has only been used when he is starving, angry, or in pain. It doesn't bother me that it is used in conjunction with a need that needs filling because that's why I'm here.<br /><br />But as I stood at the sink that day, I realized that Grant always uses <span style="font-style: italic;">dad's</span> name (whether he understands it or not) when he's happy, yet he only uses <span style="font-style: italic;">mine</span> when he needs something--will he ever associate me with good things, or just what I can give him? By the way, I love that he loves his daddy so much, and I highly encourage that as his first word. But in some small way could a mother ever get to the point where she feels a little used? That all she is good for is getting more, or doing more? At our house, the smiles kisses and cuddles come so easily to Dad, but not as readily to Mom.<br /><br />And then I realized that I do the very same thing.<br /><br />How often do I beg Heavenly Father to give me something that I need or want? I'm very sincere and feel very strongly about those things. That isn't a bad thing, ultimately. But how do I react when the answer is "no" or "not now" or "just wait a minute"? Sometimes my pleas just get stronger and louder.<br /><br />But even more than that, how often do I turn to Him only when I <span style="font-style: italic;">need </span>something? Do I give all of my attention, joy and gratitude to other people, things, or activities? Do I forget to include him in all the <span style="font-style: italic;">good</span>, as well as the bad? Too often I beg, get my answer, and then move on with life. Here's a scary thought: do I ever, in effect, <span style="font-style: italic;">use</span> Him to make sure my life goes according to my plan?<br /><br />D&C 101:8-9--<span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">In the day of their peace they esteemed lightly my counsel; but, in the day of their trouble, of necessity they feel after me. </span>Verily I say unto you, notwithstanding their sins, <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">my bowels are filled with</span><sup style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"></sup><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"> compassion</span> towards them.<br /><br />I'm thankful to know that even when I fail at this, He still loves me. But for <span style="font-style: italic;">my </span>sake I need to make Him a part of my life and prayers as much during the <span style="font-style: italic;">good</span> as I do during the <span style="font-style: italic;">bad</span>. I need Thee <span style="font-weight: bold;">every<span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span></span>hour.Chelseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09618989312718071927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1551075885344494505.post-9931797439883728972009-10-13T10:40:00.007-06:002009-10-13T13:19:35.978-06:00Immunizations and the Infinite AtonementIn March (at three months old), Grant got a set of immunizations. I've done my share of studying up on these, and I feel strongly that I want my children to be immunized. So I put my arms around him and held him tight so his wiggling wouldn't worsen the pain and lengthen the procedure, and I did all I could to distract him. As soon as the needle went into his chubby little thigh, he looked up at me with big, horror-struck eyes as if to say, "Mom, why would you let them do this to me?!" and then the tears and sobs began. The doctor warned me that Grant might be cranky or sore and might have a fever over the next 24 hours, but I was prepared after last time. I gave him his Tylenol dose <span style="font-style: italic;">before</span> the appointment so it could kick in immediately.<br /><br />He cried on and off all the way home, and when he wouldn't sleep alone in his crib I decided to lay next to him in my bed. His tear-streaked face was red and his eyes were a little puffy, but once I was next to him he drifted off to sleep. It didn't end there, though, because although he was asleep his face would contort in pain and he would moan the tiniest, most pathetic wimpers I'd ever heard. This went on every fifteen minutes or so for several hours, causing me to just lay there with my arms around him, my sleepless vigil marked by aching pain every time I heard a wimper or saw his little brow furrow. Why was it hurting <span style="font-style: italic;">me</span> so much? Why were tears running down my cheeks? It was the first time I really understood the parents I've heard tell of how they feel the pain of their children.<br /><br />I had many poignant thoughts during those hours, including the following: I knew that it needed to be done to protect Grant from greater pain and danger that might arise without the immunizations, so no matter how hard it was for him and me right then, I wouldn't change it. If I could take the pain onto myself, however, and still have him receive the benefits, I would have done so in a heartbeat. But since I couldn't remove it and wouldn't change it, all I could do was to promise that I would lay next to him, wipe his tears, and hold him until he was through it. And after a few hours, he woke up to eat and then fell asleep contented and feeling good. The whole painful ordeal only lasted three hours, and I could relax knowing that he would be less susceptible to the illnesses and diseases he might encounter.<br /><br />During those hours I thought a great deal about Heavenly Father and learned some powerful lessons. I know God has the power and capability to stop things from happening and to change the course of events in our lives, and I feel that sometimes He intervenes and does just that. But I also know that He knows that keeping us from all pain or sorrow is ultimately not what is best for us because our aim is to become like Him. These things help us grow, they give us compassion for others, and they can help protect us from greater sorrows we would otherwise have received in the future.<br /><br />But He has not left us alone. He will not remove all of the hard things from our lives, but He will not leave us alone, either. "You have to go through this, but I will be right here with you, to comfort you, to wipe your tears, and to hold you until you get through it."<br /><br />"I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you." <span style="font-size:78%;">(John 14:18)</span><br /><br />Then I thought about how no one has ever been able to take away someone else's experiences or trials. But there is One, and <span style="font-style: italic;">only</span> one, who was able to take away much of the pain, and who made it possible to completely remove sin. Jesus Christ can take it away because He experienced and suffered for everything we have and will feel, including our temptations, sorrows, sins, pains, sicknesses, even death, "that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities.<span style="font-size:78%;">(see Alma 7)</span>" One meaning of the word <span style="font-style: italic;">succor</span> is "to run to." He will run to us in our moments of distress, and the power of His infinite and atoning sacrifice can remove all sin and can ease the pain of all other afflictions. He has done for all of us what so many of us wish we could do for our loved ones: He truly has taken our burdens upon Himself. Some of it is free, by virtue of us coming to this earth (e.g. resurrection), but most of it comes as the result of righteousness, sincere prayer, and repentance.<br /><br />Heavenly Father has given us every opportunity we need to become like Him and have the joy He experiences. This means we will all go through our immunizing experiences. But we are not alone. President Harold B. Lee (1899–1973) once remarked: <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">“Don’t be afraid of the testing and trials of life. </span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >Sometimes when you are going through the most severe tests, you will be nearer to God than you have any idea</span><span style="font-size:130%;">, for like the experience of the Master himself in the temptation on the mount, in the Garden of Gethsemane, and on the cross at Calvary, the scriptures record, ‘And, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.’ (</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://scriptures.lds.org/matt/4/11#11" onclick="newWindow('http://scriptures.lds.org/matt/4//11#11')" target="contentWindow" class="scriptureRef">Matt. 4:11</a></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;">.) Sometimes that may happen to you in the midst of your trials.”</span> <span style="font-size:78%;"><br />(in Conference Report, Munich Germany Area Conference, 1973, 114; qtd. in </span></span><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Ensign </span><span>[</span>Feb. 2003], by Elder Ray H. Wood of the Seventy, "Our Thorns in the Flesh"</span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:78%;" >)</span>Chelseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09618989312718071927noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1551075885344494505.post-57786906586403172282009-10-13T08:30:00.000-06:002009-10-13T15:09:22.642-06:00Object and Godly PermanenceIt has been interesting to watch the process of recognition a baby goes through. In utero, Grant was totally dependent upon me. As a newborn, he faintly recognized sounds and scents which helped him to continue to trust and rely on Jake and me. As he got a little older and started to recognize us physically, he began to rely completely on that sense. If he could see me, he knew I was there and would take care of him and fill his current need. If he couldn't see me, it was almost as if I never existed. He couldn't comprehend that there was someone who <span style="font-style: italic;">always</span> picked him up or fed him when he cried, so he couldn't trust that this person would continue to do so. This lasted for months, until the magical day when he was around six months old and began to understand the concept of object permanence--that objects still exist even when they are out of sight.<br /><br />I noticed that in the middle of the night when he was crying, I could stand next to his crib and pat his back to calm him, even when he couldn't see me (he has a habit of squeezing his eyes shut tight when he cries at night). The next signs I recognized were his ability to trust my voice to calm him until he could see my face, knowing that if he could hear me that he would soon be able to see me. He's heard my voice chattering pretty much non-stop since his earbuds began capturing sound, and over time he associated my voice with the help that was soon to follow. Even when there are other noises and distractions he can zero in on the voice he knows so well.<br /><br />Within a few weeks, Grant was starting to enjoy playing peek-a-boo, which is another milestone in the object permanence process. I could see his mind working and growing as he learned that when I put a blanket over his toy, that he could remove the blanket and find his toy still there. This time he had no physical sense to <span style="font-style: italic;">prove</span> that the toy was still there, but he had <span style="font-style: italic;">experience</span> on his side now. Every time we played the game, it turned out the same. He could still see the object in his mind, even though he couldn't see it with his eyes, and that allowed him to understand that he could still access his toy quickly.<br /><br />I've been fascinated with this concept since Grant was born, because I think it is the same process we all go through in life. Before we came to this earth, we lived with our Father and were totally dependent upon Him. We knew what He looked like and how His voice sounded. After our physical birth, I believe Heavenly Father stays very near to us. Our childlike faith carried us on. But as life progresses, our faith is challenged. We want more than our faith, we want <span style="font-style: italic;">proof</span> that God is real. We want to see Him, or at least an undeniable sign observed with our physical senses that He is there. Over time, we can learn that He can exist even if we can't see Him, and through the Holy Ghost we can hear His voice in our hearts and minds. Even when (<span style="font-style: italic;">especially </span>when) there are other noises and distractions in life, we can train ourselves to recognize and find solace in the voice of the Spirit. It takes practice, but I testify that the recognition will come.<br /><br />But even if that were to be silenced or questioned, hopefully we can each rely on our past experiences to fortify our faith in God (He's always been there for me before, He's always taken care of my needs. Why not now?). I don't have to rely on my physical senses to know that God is real. I can still see Him in my mind, and that allows me to understand that I can still access Him quickly through prayer.<br /><br /><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://scriptures.lds.org/en/job/37/2#2">Job 37: 2</a><span style="font-weight: bold;"> --</span><span style="font-weight: bold;" class="searchword">Hear</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> attentively the noise of his </span><span style="font-weight: bold;" class="searchword">voice</span><span style="font-weight: bold;">, and the sound </span><i style="font-weight: bold;">that</i><span style="font-weight: bold;"> goeth out of his mouth. </span>Chelseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09618989312718071927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1551075885344494505.post-24221086373914180032009-10-10T22:43:00.004-06:002009-10-13T12:43:46.490-06:00How can my child help lead me to exaltation?I spent hours creating this site for our ward relief society and was later informed that our leaders would rather we only use the Church website, and I couldn't just let all my hard work go to waste! I've been looking for an effective way to record my motherhood/gospel comparisons and decided this might keep me more up-to-date; I have notes scribbled all over in my life and will be happy to have them all centrally located. I'll try to backtrack, but I don't know if I'll be able to find all the scribbles... Please feel free to share your own experiences and thoughts as comments as we start this journey!Chelseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09618989312718071927noreply@blogger.com0