Finding Time

Back in the day, I used to be great at reading my scriptures. I'd wake up half an hour before I needed to and use the institute manuals and other references and I'd read and study every day. I'd write my thoughts in a notebook and I always started my day out with prayer and scripture study. Somewhere along the way, I've lost that dedication. It happened gradually, as I think most fall from righteous things do. A few weeks ago it hit me that I really wasn't having personal scripture study. Ken and I read together most nights, but I wasn't studying the scriptures anymore. My first thought was, "I just don't have time". Now, how silly is that? I find time to work out deals at CVS, to read blogs everyday, to play games on DS or computer, to take walks or have playdates...but I don't have time to study? Hah. So, I re-committed myself. I made a goal that the TV or computer couldn't be turned on until I had studyed my scriptures. Which is harder than it seems. I haven't been perfect, but I am getting better. I've realized how it has improved other things too. When I wake up in the morning, I've been trying to go running before Ken leaves for work and while Abe sleeps. Then I get home and I feel energized. I put Abe in his bouncer or jumper and turn on music and clean my house right away. Then I play with Abe. I devote my time to him, without TV or computer as a distraction. He usually eats and naps around 11. As soon as he falls asleep I study my scriptures. I've been using the Book of Mormon institute manual. Then I write in my journal. If I have time after that I'll look at blogs or turn on Family Fued. I feel so much happier with these changes in my life. I feel less frustrated with my housework, with my son, and with everyone around me. I feel more energized and more willing to help others. I get so much MORE accomplished by devoting the time I should to the things that should be most important. Today I read this quote as I was studying. It is talking about being righteous in the Latter days and sharing the Gospel. "...In the midst of all these tribulations God will send fire from heaven, if necessary, to destroy our enemies while we carry forward with our work and push that stone until it fills the whole earth! Your destiny is to do that very thing., and this is the kind of protection you will have. You do not need to fear about world conditions. You do not need to fear about anybody. Just serve the Lord and keep his commandments and build the Kingdom, and as you do so you will be protected in these last days." -Mark E Peterson.

Salvation and Exaltation by Elder Nelson

So I have started reading through my conference Ensign. If you look I am already on the 1st talk! Elder Nelson talked about salvation and exaltation in a way I had never thought of before. He said that salvation was "to be saved from physical and spiritual death," while exaltation is "the highest state of happiness and glory in the celestial kingdom." He goes on to explain that "in God's eternal plan, salvation is an individual matter; exaltation is a family matter." The two things that struck me about this talk. One was our responsibilities as husband and wife, and the second was how to discipline our children.

The responsibilities were as follows:

1. be faithful to each other
2. esteem and treat your children as a heritage from the Lord
3. study scriptures as a family
4. pray together as a family
5. fix our focus on the temple

That is a lot of responsibility! I am working on being more steady with our scripture study (we are STILL in Ether) and trying to come up with ideas to attend the temple more often. I have realized that even though we can't go as often as I would like, we can still keep our focus fixed there (and that might help us get there more often, too!)

When disciplining children, Elder Nelson recommended it should be done "quietly, privately, lovingly, and not publicly. If a rebuke is required, show an increase of love promptly so the seeds of resentment may not remain." Through the last week I have tried to only discipline the children privately and quietly ("tried" is the magic word here) and have been surprised how well they respond! Elder Nelson also recommended trying to persuade them, but "your love must be sincere and your teachings based on divine and correct principles." Finally, he advised "Do not try to control your children. Instead, listen to them." Like I said, trying this advise has made a marked improvement for me (probably my kids, too). Instead of jumping down their throats every time, I have tried to take them aside, listen to their side of the story, and explain where they went wrong. One of the big surprises was how often I didn't have the whole story and how much better I was able to lovingly discipline them after I had listened to them. They were often still punished, but I was also able to teach them and help them understand the mistake they had made. I still have a short temper and sometimes revert to yelling and quick retribution, but I am trying to do better!