Elder Bednar

Today we had the amazing experience of listening to an apostle of the Lord speak.  David A. Bednar came and spoke here in Ann Arbor.  What an inspired meeting it was.  He taught about the enabling or strengthening power of the atonement which in the scriptures is referred to as grace.  We sang How Firm a Foundation with emphasis placed on this power of the atonement.  This power enables us to do more than we can do by ourselves.  Our capacity is strengthened and our mind enlightened through this power.   He left us with 2 messages. 1. you can do it.  Pray for this strength and press forward and be grateful for a God who asks us to do hard things.
2. Men you can and must be better.  He told a story that he learned in Africa as he listened to this humble women teach about fasting.  Her definition wasn't to just go hungry for a purpose but to put off two meals that when you can eat you choose not to for the lord.  which for this people meant going two days because they ate 1 meal a day if that.  It is choosing the lord when it isn't easy.  Not just obeying but truly sacrificing.

This was powerful meeting and I know that we have a living prophet and a council of twelve apostles living today.  

Testimony of the Book of Mormon

Ever Learning

One of the most wonderful things about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the knowledge of modern revelation.  god did not just speak to men in ancient times he loves men today as he did than.  He has given us a modern Prophet and council of twelve modern apostles to give us a revelation.  

We also have local leaders who can receive revelation for local members.  Most amazing is that you can receive revelation for your self and family.  I know that God has plans for us and he reveals it to us through the power of his Holy Spirit.  This weekend we were able to hear from the local leaders I spoke about earlier and it was amazing.  I felt the love of God and some small promptings came into my mind of things I need to work on.
God loves us and he wants each of us to know his will but only through our worthiness and searching can this truth be revealed unto each of us a small piece at a time.  God does not just at one time give us everything.  He lights our way one step at a time.

Feeling blessed

We often look at trials in our lives as hard and then afterwards realize how much the Lord is blessing us.  I am currently looking for work and really feel at peace with it.  I believe I needed to change myself and my daily pattern and this has allowed me time to re-energize myself every morning.  I wake up at 6:00 am and try to work out for 20 minutes and then I have what I call a morning devotional for a little over 1 hour (we'll discuss this further) and then I spend 30 minutes to 1 hour reading a business book (currently the Truth Shall Make you Rich).  I then make a game plan for the day of what I need to and want to accomplish.  This has been a huge blessing in helping me cope and for me to believe that God has great things in store for this family.

I am also very grateful to be able to spend time with my little girl and allow my wife to take on more work.  It is a blessing to be with her and my wife and to be able to just read more.

Morning Devotional begins with a hymn and then about 10 minutes of meditation followed by prayer.  Than I read an article form the ensign and write my thoughts in a notebook.  I then study the Sunday School or Priesthood lesson for 30 minutes.  Things than end in a song and a prayer.  This has been a great blessing and I am using several sources for my study I have the Old Testament Made Easier by David Ridges and the old testament manual as study guides.  I then write what key learnings I have by verse set in my journal.  I have noticed the peace that daily communion with God can give us.

I also have journal of thoughts while I read a business book.  My goal is to try and figure out some entrepreneurial ventures that I can begin as a side job.  Most of my thoughts have been different ways to utilize my wifes many artistic talents in as many venues as possible.

I am grateful for the many ways the Lord blesses us and gives us challenges to set us on course.  I love the church and am grateful for the truth and light it sheds for to me.