A few months ago, my mom and I were perusing the books and decor at Seagul Book. It's one of our favorite things to do together. I have a passion for church history--especially with the Joseph Smith era. While making a list of all the books and study guides I wanted, I came across a bookmark that outlined what chapters to read from the Book of Mormon each day in order to finish it within 2 months. As I looked at it, I contemplated buying it. But my frugal sense hit me, and I didn't want to pay $4 for a bookmark. I looked closer, and realized that the spacing for each day was an average of 4 chapters/day. I took a mental note, and went on my way.
I had just finished reading the Book of Mormon maybe 1 month earlier, and I had intended on reading the Bible this time around. Then my mind went back to Seagul Book and the "speed" method of reading the BOM. I have read the Book of Mormon several times in my life, but never at such a fast pace. I was determined to do it.
I began reading, and suddenly realized the some days my studying of the Book of Mormon were a lot longer than other days. I also noticed that if I accidentally missed a day, or only read 2 chapters one day, then I had a LOT of reading to make up for the next. Finding a nice, quiet, uninterrupted time to read and study is hard with 4 young kids. But I wasn't about to let any excuse derail me.
I kept up with it. I found myself often time being lost in the scriptures, and thriving on every word that was written. I found I no longer dreaded reading the scriptures, but rather longed for it. I looked forward to reading and studying. I found that the longer I read, the more I was enlightened by the Spirit. My understanding of the scriptures has never been so great. I feel on FIRE with them. I really dont ever remember feeling this way before. I can 100% understand the scripture/phrase of "feasting on the words of Christ" now.
My 60 days is almost up (I have 6 days left), but I only have 2 chapters left. I'm almost sad that I'm almost done because I've enjoyed it so much. But at the same time, my testimony has grown SO much stronger over this time. I can't tell you how much more real the scriptures are. How much I can see their relevance in today's world. I could liken just about every chapter to something going on today.
I will be finishing the Book of Mormon tomorrow. And I just realized that this weekend is General Conference. What a wonderful timing to finish!
I have learned that consistency is key. Sure there were some days I didn't get all 4 chapters in, but there were others where I got several more chapter than the minimum required. I learned that I have a deeper and stronger relationship with my Heavenly Father and Savior because of it. I now know why they say that The Book of Mormon is the most true of any book out there, and that you can come to TRULY know God through reading it.
I want to scream it from the rooftops how much I love this book! I know it to be true! I am recording my thoughts so my family, and my children, and my grandchildren, know my testimony of it. I promise you that you can feel of the Savior's love when you TRULY study it, and pray about it. I hope I can always have this feeling with me.
Monday, September 25, 2017
Monday, September 18, 2017
Heart Attack
Today Cameron wanted to go play with his friends. Our neighborhood here in Providence is fun, and young, and there are tons of friends for him to play with. I agreed and watched him go in the neighbor's house. I went back inside with Avery, knowing that in about 45 minutes I'd have to go grab him so we could go pick up the girls from school.
The time came to get him, and my neighbor said he wasn't there, but was probably at the Crosby's. I called the Crosby's, to which she responded they were at the McEuen's (the original house I called). When I told both mothers that the kids weren't at any of our houses, we started to panic a little. We immediately started yelling out for our kids, and asking neighbors if they had seen them. I said a quick heartfelt prayer to Heavenly Father, and hoped he was fine, but ready to unleash on him when I found him safe. I about had a heart attack.
Meanwhile, I needed to go pick up my girls from school. I got in the car, and figured I'd look for them on the way out. As I turned the corner of our street, I saw Cameron's bike in front of someone's house. I ran up there, anxious to see if he was there. Thankfully, he was there. Apparently they had all found a new friend, and the mom of this friend didn't think to check with the rest of us moms.
I was so relieved. It's amazing how my emotions go from fear, to panic, to stress, to happiness, to rage....all within a 10 minute lapse. But I promise, those seconds when your child is missing seem like an eternity.
I grabbed him, put him in his carseat, threw his bike in the back of my suburban, and went to pick up the girls. I told him how sad I was that I couldn't find him. (A lot of times Cam goes looking for me in our house when I go upstairs to get ready, and he starts to panic and cry when he can't find me. I explained to him that I felt the same way when I couldn't find him). I began crying, and told him how special he was to me, and how sad I'd be if I never got to hold him again.
As I gained composure of myself again, I immediately offered a prayer of gratitude. How thankful I am that Heavenly Father protected my son. It's tender mercies like this, that strengthen my testimony.
I like to think that I've come a long way in the last decade or so with my testimony. I know I used to be hotheaded, arrogant, and quick to take offense. I'm thankful I married someone who is patient, and has kindly shown me to to be more Christlike. I still lose my cool some days, but when I look at the overall picture, I've definitely made some improvements.
The time came to get him, and my neighbor said he wasn't there, but was probably at the Crosby's. I called the Crosby's, to which she responded they were at the McEuen's (the original house I called). When I told both mothers that the kids weren't at any of our houses, we started to panic a little. We immediately started yelling out for our kids, and asking neighbors if they had seen them. I said a quick heartfelt prayer to Heavenly Father, and hoped he was fine, but ready to unleash on him when I found him safe. I about had a heart attack.
Meanwhile, I needed to go pick up my girls from school. I got in the car, and figured I'd look for them on the way out. As I turned the corner of our street, I saw Cameron's bike in front of someone's house. I ran up there, anxious to see if he was there. Thankfully, he was there. Apparently they had all found a new friend, and the mom of this friend didn't think to check with the rest of us moms.
I was so relieved. It's amazing how my emotions go from fear, to panic, to stress, to happiness, to rage....all within a 10 minute lapse. But I promise, those seconds when your child is missing seem like an eternity.
I grabbed him, put him in his carseat, threw his bike in the back of my suburban, and went to pick up the girls. I told him how sad I was that I couldn't find him. (A lot of times Cam goes looking for me in our house when I go upstairs to get ready, and he starts to panic and cry when he can't find me. I explained to him that I felt the same way when I couldn't find him). I began crying, and told him how special he was to me, and how sad I'd be if I never got to hold him again.
As I gained composure of myself again, I immediately offered a prayer of gratitude. How thankful I am that Heavenly Father protected my son. It's tender mercies like this, that strengthen my testimony.
I like to think that I've come a long way in the last decade or so with my testimony. I know I used to be hotheaded, arrogant, and quick to take offense. I'm thankful I married someone who is patient, and has kindly shown me to to be more Christlike. I still lose my cool some days, but when I look at the overall picture, I've definitely made some improvements.
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