Spiritual Gifts

Last night our family had Tithing Settlements with our Bishop. As we waited for him to finish meeting with another family who had an appointment prior to ours, our ward clerk handed us a form to fill out. It was a paper asking us to list our "skills" and "resources" that we'd be willing to offer to our local community members in case of a natural disaster. As I began filling it out with all our camping equipment and Matt's skills (roofing, carpentry, etc), I stopped dead in my tracks wondering what in the world I could offer. What was I good for? Did I have any skills/talents to offer?

I'm  not going to lie, it was kind of depressing. I am someone who possesses qualities that a lot of people think are useful. I cook. I clean. I'm extremely well-organized. I'm a great writer. I'm punctual. I'm a nazi when it comes to proper grammar/English. I can make people and places look "pretty." I can make people laugh. I am pretty good at public speaking. But how in the world are those things useful? I don't want to be someone who sits around and watches other people be useful, while I wallow in the corner of my own "uselessness." You know what I  mean? Do you ever have thoughts like this?

Living in today's generation isn't always the easiest. With the use of social media, it's quite easy to see what other people's "usefulness" is. You see others' talents, and then find yourself wishing you had those as well.

Am I the only one?

As I scrolled down Facebook looking at my friends and their useful talents, I came across a post from LDS Living that asked you to comment with your testimony. At first I went past it, then went back to it. This is something I could easily do. I jotted down my testimony of the Book of Mormon. As I continued scrolling on Facebook afterwards, I received a notification that somebody had "liked" my comment. It was then that it struck me: I have a gift to share my testimony and help others Come Unto Christ. I am useful by helping others feel God's love through  my personal testimony. I decided to copy and paste my testimony on my own personal Facebook status. Immediately I had several people/friends comment thanking me for it, and how encouraged they were to read it themselves.

WOW!

I honestly never thought I'd have such a quick, lasting impact. Throughout the night I received several more reactions and comments. I even received a message from an old friend thanking me, telling me how much it brightened her day, then asking for advice on how she could be better at studying/understanding the scriptures.

I am thankful Heavenly Father has blessed me with so many gifts in life. I may not have the most "physical" gifts, but I know I have several "spiritual" gifts that I can share and help with others in bringing to pass the Lord's work while here on this earth.

100 Things

Last week during one of my "mommy time outs" (I'll have to explain this later), I listened to a podcast by Bold New Mom. She is a life coach that helps you change your way of thinking. I've really enjoyed listening to all of the podcasts I've listened to so far. The latest one I listened to talked about making a list of 100 Things you are good at. She even listed her own 100 personal things, and although some were a bit strange in my opinion, I was really intrigued. So I thought I'd share 100 Things I like about me (and as I think of more, I'm going to keep adding):

1. I'm very organized
2. I'm good at math
3. I'm excellent at budgeting
4. I am good at proper grammar
5. I'm a great writer
6. I know how to stretch a dollar really well
7. I'm a good cook
8. I'm a natural athlete
9. I have a good sense of direction
10. I have common sense
11. I think before I speak
12. I know how to bite my tongue
13. I have a strong testimony of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
14. I have a sound understanding of who I am as a daughter of God, and where I'm going in life.
15. I dont care what others think of me.
16. I have a clean home
17. I appreciate nature
18. I am a good public speaker
19. I am a good listener
20. I am good at serving
21. I know how to give genuine compliments
22. I prioritize well
23. I know how to love
24. I am polite
25. I'm really good at thanking people for things
26. I recognize blessings in my life
27. I'm a great driver
28. I am strong physically
29. I am structured
30. I have great thick hair
31. I have great skin
32. I can read well
33. I am passionate about my family
34. I am good at showing my affection
35. I can multi task extremely well
36. I am funny
37. I am witty
38. I am smart
39. I understand sports
40. I love playing softball
41. I love playing basketball
42. I am good at implementing gospel principles in my home and being consistent with them
43. I have a desire to follow Christ, and be more like Him
44. I am obedient
45. I never have to learn lessons the hard way. I can be told something is wrong, and I will heed it
46. I can appreciate good music
47. I'm a great speller
48. I'm good at sales
49. I'm good at marketing
50. I know how to lift others up
51. I am a self learner
52. I am good at sewing
53. I can feel and recognize the Holy Ghost
54. I am good at keeping in touch with my family
55. I can be happy for others' successes
56. I love playing with my family
57. I am a good fly fisher(woman)
58. I know how to find good deals
59. I am good at saving money
60. I am pretty
61. I am detail-oriented
62. I am a hard worker
63. I am great at food storage
64. I make the best bread
65. I know how to make healthy foods my family will like, or "hide" healthy ingredients in "regular food."
66. I am good at smiling
67. I am good at pondering and receiving personal revelation
68. I understand the Gospel and its importance
69. I am good at making things/furniture/spaces aesthetically pleasing
70. I know how to take good photos
71. I am articulate
72. I am punctual
73. I always do my best
74. I love to dance with my kids
75. I love to exercise to good music
76. I am great at cleaning
77. I love to kiss my husband
78. I love to bake treats with my kids
79. I love to decorate
80. I have a desire to improve myself every day
81. I can relate well to others
82. I am crafty
83. I love talking to my mom
84. I have a great relationship with each of my siblings
85. I have a good relationship with my in laws
86. I love watching people feel uplifted
87. I love when my kids teach family home evening
88. I am good at not impulse buying
89. I am good at skiing
90. I love living in Cache Valley
91. I like my arms
92. I am good at doing makeup
93. I am a quick learner
94. I am sarcastic
95. I can make people laugh
96. I remember things
97. I am reliable
98. I know how to have fun
99. I am not embarrassed easily
100. I am good at apologizing
101. I am thoughtful
102. I am good at staying out of drama
103. I am good at playing with my kids
104. I am supportive
105. I am modest
106. I am creative
107. I am great at communicating