Every thirty days... it is a beginning! Many thought patterns running through my head... oh my, oh my, which thought path to begin with.
We are serving in the nursery in our ward. I haven't been in nursery since my second daughter (Jennifer) was 18 months old. It is good... if my back and knees will just hold up, to the lifting, bending, squatting, sitting on the floor, getting up, sitting on the floor, kneeling etc. I am sure you all get the picture. Precious little children and oh so cute... not one of them is any cuter than my grandchildren, maybe runs close, but not cuter!
I am into the B. of M. again...for about the 4th time in the last 2-3 yrs.
Somethings that have stuck out in my mind in regards to the Book of Mormon.
1. Faithful obedience: There is much to learn in verse 29 of 1st Nephi chap. 16. For one thing, the value of obedience as a prerequisite for additional knowledge and revelation is taught. Nephi said that the things on the pointers(of the Liahona) were "plain" and were "changed from time to time" depending on their obdience to them. One of the most basic principles for personal progress taught in the scriptures is that faith obedience precedes additional revelation.
A great example of how faithful, diligent obedience can lead to additional light and understanding is found in Moses 5:5-11. Adam and Eve receive much additional light and knowledge because of simple faith obedience.
The basic principle is this: First, we obey, with faith in God and Christ. Then we receive more light and knowledge. If we then obey that, we receive more. If we obey that, we receive yet more, and on and on until, someday, we get to the point that we "shall comprehend even God." (D&C 88:49)Wow... this is awesome! In this portionof the B of M Nephi is teaching us the power and potential of simple faith obedience.
I remember my mother teaching me at a very tender age that the first law of heaven was obedience. I did my best to teach this to my children when they were little, and I observe they are teaching it to their children also.
I am so grateful for the Book of Mormon... I love it!
Monday, June 27, 2011
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Summer what will it bring?
My goodness time flies. It has been nearly a month since I last wrote on my blog. School is over for the summer. My eyes have really been open the last four months, as I accepted a long-term teaching position in a charter high school, teaching Spanish.
I have had grave concerns about the condition of our phenomical country, with the next generation coming up. The children that I have been associating with over the last several months, have given me cause for concern. The attitude of entitlement that these children have, their lack of willingeness to give service, or to pick up after themselves, or to be charitible to their fellow classmates became painfully obvious. I would hear the foulest of language, so much so that I would begin to feel spiritually ill. I managed to keep the foul language at a minimum in my classroom, by requiring that whoever spoke those words would have to write a 100 times, " I will not say_________ in Mrs. Roundy's Spanish class. These kids said it so much, they didn't even realize it. However, in my class they would begin to stop themselves or each other. On campus the foul language was every where. Sometimes I would feel so discouraged, because I did want to make a difference in their lives. The stories that were shared with me from these young people about their home lives, parents incarcerated, some were homeless, they had been kicked out, others lived with realatives or friends. These kids had no family life, their parents were just as screwed up as they are. I felt I had real good reason to be concerned for the future of our country. I then would come home to my sanctuary, if you will, I would have the opportunity to associate with families who were doing all in their power to raise righteous children, to live the commandments, to teach love, kindess, forgiveness, work ethics, values and principles in their homes. And my faith in the family insitutions and the generation coming up was restored.
I am grateful for my children and my grandchildren and the teachings that my grandchildren are receiving through precept and example from their parents. I am grateful for the teachings of my parents, for their example of love of God, family and country.
I have had grave concerns about the condition of our phenomical country, with the next generation coming up. The children that I have been associating with over the last several months, have given me cause for concern. The attitude of entitlement that these children have, their lack of willingeness to give service, or to pick up after themselves, or to be charitible to their fellow classmates became painfully obvious. I would hear the foulest of language, so much so that I would begin to feel spiritually ill. I managed to keep the foul language at a minimum in my classroom, by requiring that whoever spoke those words would have to write a 100 times, " I will not say_________ in Mrs. Roundy's Spanish class. These kids said it so much, they didn't even realize it. However, in my class they would begin to stop themselves or each other. On campus the foul language was every where. Sometimes I would feel so discouraged, because I did want to make a difference in their lives. The stories that were shared with me from these young people about their home lives, parents incarcerated, some were homeless, they had been kicked out, others lived with realatives or friends. These kids had no family life, their parents were just as screwed up as they are. I felt I had real good reason to be concerned for the future of our country. I then would come home to my sanctuary, if you will, I would have the opportunity to associate with families who were doing all in their power to raise righteous children, to live the commandments, to teach love, kindess, forgiveness, work ethics, values and principles in their homes. And my faith in the family insitutions and the generation coming up was restored.
I am grateful for my children and my grandchildren and the teachings that my grandchildren are receiving through precept and example from their parents. I am grateful for the teachings of my parents, for their example of love of God, family and country.
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Thoughts are an indication of what I am feeling at the moment...feelings of which I may be totally unaware. So, the more often I recognize and label each thought as it occurs-as it pops into my mind, the more proficient I will become at getting in touch with what I am actually feeling.
This whole process-the thinking feeling process-- is SO subtle that I will want to develop this heightened awareness on a consistent basis in order to experience the results I am seeking.
When a feeling is aroused, it is usually triggered by a belief or a system of belief I have previously established. When this happens, the feeling will be followed by a flood of thoughts or by more feelings. Sometimes this concept seems complicated to me. However, unless I learn where the focal point begins, the effectiveness of what I can accomplish will be limited.
My prime responsibility is to tune in to my inner dialogue. Discover the thoughts in my mind that keep looking for a home. I continue to learn to recognize mindless chatter, prattle or self-talk. As I listen to my inner dialogue, I focus on what it is I am saying to myself. This is where the transfer point or the shift to awareness begins.
The point of this is... I must be mindful of my inner dialogue! I have a choice of what that dialogue will be. Will it be negative rather than positive? For me to experience rewarding and peaceful results instead of living with the conflict of jangled, frazzled, disrupted nerves, it is necessary for me to change this inner dialogue-this inner self-talk.
The more I get in touch with and identify what I am really feeling, the more capacity and ability I will have to change my negative internal programming, self-talk, or inner dialogue. As I continue to be Response-able and Account-able for my thoughts and feelings, I WILL eventually become the person I really WANT to be instead of remaining the person my incorrect perceptions have created.
This whole process-the thinking feeling process-- is SO subtle that I will want to develop this heightened awareness on a consistent basis in order to experience the results I am seeking.
When a feeling is aroused, it is usually triggered by a belief or a system of belief I have previously established. When this happens, the feeling will be followed by a flood of thoughts or by more feelings. Sometimes this concept seems complicated to me. However, unless I learn where the focal point begins, the effectiveness of what I can accomplish will be limited.
My prime responsibility is to tune in to my inner dialogue. Discover the thoughts in my mind that keep looking for a home. I continue to learn to recognize mindless chatter, prattle or self-talk. As I listen to my inner dialogue, I focus on what it is I am saying to myself. This is where the transfer point or the shift to awareness begins.
The point of this is... I must be mindful of my inner dialogue! I have a choice of what that dialogue will be. Will it be negative rather than positive? For me to experience rewarding and peaceful results instead of living with the conflict of jangled, frazzled, disrupted nerves, it is necessary for me to change this inner dialogue-this inner self-talk.
The more I get in touch with and identify what I am really feeling, the more capacity and ability I will have to change my negative internal programming, self-talk, or inner dialogue. As I continue to be Response-able and Account-able for my thoughts and feelings, I WILL eventually become the person I really WANT to be instead of remaining the person my incorrect perceptions have created.
Monday, April 25, 2011
Today is my birthday. I am 62 years young. :) Yesterday was Easter, what a glorious weekend it has been. My heart is filled with gratitude for my Savior Jesus Christ and his Atonement and resurrection. I am filled with gratitude for my awesome children and grandchildren. I am grateful for my children's father and his graciousness and generousity in their behalf. I was treated to a birthday dinner Saturday night by my children who live in Arizona. The company was great, the food delicious and very filling, it was a fun evening. I really missed having my youngest daughter here with the rest of us. She and her family live in Washington State. Yesterday, after church we went to my daughters home, who lives in Surprise and had Easter dinner with them, her in-laws and my daughter and family that live in Laveen. A birthday cake and candles, singing happy birthday, it was wonderful. We visited and had a lovely afternoon. We ended the Sabbath day by attending our "Empty Nesters" Family Home Evening group. It was a blessed weekend.
I received several birthday calls this morning. I am a very blessed woman!
I received several birthday calls this morning. I am a very blessed woman!
Flannery O'Connor penned these words: "I write to discover what I know."
Perhaps through my efforts at blogging I can open a door where hidden knowledge is stored and discover the inner voice that's begging to be set free. I don't claim to be in league with the following, but I'm intrigued by the possibilities.
Perhaps through my efforts at blogging I can open a door where hidden knowledge is stored and discover the inner voice that's begging to be set free. I don't claim to be in league with the following, but I'm intrigued by the possibilities.
- "Write down the thoughts of the moment. Those that come unsought for are commonly the most valuable." -Francis Bacon
- "I wrote the book, Werther, almost unconsciously, like a somnambulist, and was amazed when I realized what I had done." -Goethe
- "There is a power above and behind us and we are the channel of its communications." -Ralph Waldo Emerson
I'm really hoping to discover the hidden voice that everyone seems to have and only the persistent find; so I suspect that this little blog will be a reality check on my persistence. I'll leave you now with wishes for a healthy and happy day. I'm going searching for that ahidden door and the hidden voice behind it.
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Very soon to be 62 and first time blogging
First time every to blog. What an exciting event for an almost 62 yr. old woman.
My blog title is "April's Apercu." For anyone who might read my blog, the word apercu pronounced (a-pear-su) means,"a discerning perception; an insight. A short outline or summary; a synopsis.
I thought the word fit very well with the meaning for my blog. Time will tell how consistent I will be in writing on a regualr basis. At least I have made a start.
My blog title is "April's Apercu." For anyone who might read my blog, the word apercu pronounced (a-pear-su) means,"a discerning perception; an insight. A short outline or summary; a synopsis.
I thought the word fit very well with the meaning for my blog. Time will tell how consistent I will be in writing on a regualr basis. At least I have made a start.
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