.: March 2010

Beautiful Full Moon Over Texas

March 29, 2010

What to do when you haven't posted a blog in over seven months?

Begin again, today, to tell the story of our lives...

Here's a copy of a talk in gave in Sacrament meeting in January. It might help explain my absence. I'm done having my own little 'pity party' and am looking forward to a new leg of our journey here on earth. (Sorry, in advance, for the length of this post.)

I Am A Child of God - given January 17, 2010
Keller 2nd Ward, Colleyville, TX Stake

Good Morning brothers and sisters. I'm happy to have this opportunity to share a few thoughts with you this morning.

I would like to begin with a short story that is found in the April 2008 Ensign.

"It was around my 14th birthday when my mother started talking in code. Just as I would be running out thedoor for some new adventure with my friends, she would call out, "Remember who you are!"

I wasn't quite sure what she meant by that, but I would fake an understanding and yell over my shoulder, "Ok, Mom. Bye!" At times I would mull over her coded message. What was she trying to say? I knew who I was. I was Traci, sixth child in my family, big deal.

I decided my mother's message was the result of her occupation. She had been a registered nurse for about 25 years, so maybe she had seen children who had been left with amnesia after some horrible accident. "Yes," I decided, "She wants to make sure that if I am ever hurt, I will remember my name and other vital information. That must be the reason for her emphatic message."

As I was growing up, life with my family was not always pleasant, despite the face that we were members of the Church. After one particularly bad night, I remember staring at myself in the mirror, hardly recognizing the reflection staring back at me because my face was red from my father's repeated slaps. I started crying, not knowing what to do or think. Thoughts of running away crossed my mind., Even worse ideas wormed their way into my confused thoughts.

At no other time before or since have I felt so alone. I felt worn out, almost willing to let the surrounding darkness take over. I looked in to the mirror once more. The words "I don't even know myself" tumbled from my lips. That was when I heard my mother's voice repeated clearly and distinctly in my mind, "Remember who you are! Remember who you are!"

I can describe that moment only as enlightening, For the first time I realized what my mother's message meant., It was her plea for me to remember my divine heritage. A phrase from a Primary song echoed in my mind, "I am a Child of God" the knowledge that my nature was divine would help me endure to the end. My mother understood that. I know she hoped that someday I would gain this eternal perspective as well."

The topic I have been given to speak on today is 'How knowing that I am a child of God motives me and impacts my life.'

I'm sure that one of the first songs I ever sang to any of our newborn children was "I am a Child of God." Maybe it was yours, too. It's amazing the simple truth that is presented to us at such a young age is taken for granted by so many.

To think that there are literally millions of people the world over who wonder "Where did I come from?" "Why am I here?" "Where am I going?"

What a sweet blessing it is to come to know - to actually gain a testimony by the power of the Holy Ghost - that there IS a God and the He has a plan with an exalted purpose for each of His children. It is also a very powerful, personal driving factor to be able to accept that we each have a particular role to play in this plan. We owe it to ourselves to make an extra effort to discover, in every detail possible, who we really are - to discover our eternal potential in God's plan.

We are blessed to know that we are each a child of God, a son or daughter of a loving Father who has structured a glorious plan for the salvation and happiness of each of His children.

We understand that we were in the presence of our Father in Heaven in premortal councils, where His plan was presented to all of His children., We accepted His plan. Jesus Christ was there and He became the leading advocate for the plan - the objective of which is to provide all of God's children the opportunity to come to earth; obtain a body; and, during our period of mortal probation, prove ourselves in faith, repentance, obedience and endure to the end. We each, individually accepted that we would one day stand before the Lord, Jesus Christ and be judged. Those found worthy would be exalted and would dwell eternally in the presence of the Father and Son in eternal family relationships. All others would be assigned to kingdoms of lesser glory.

We also know that because of His prefect love for each of His children - this loving Father offered up His Only Begotten Son, that through His atoning sacrifice in Gethesemane and on the cross and Calvary, He would become the Savior of all humankind, the eternal hope of the world. Through His sacrifice He would ensure resurrection from the grave for all, as well as provide the opportunity for forgiveness for every repentant soul. We know that without a Savior there is no plan of salvation and happiness.

What a blessing it is to have this revealed doctrine as foundation upon which to build our lives and for our trust and hope in eternal happiness.

Life here on earth is an opportunity and a blessing. It also has its share of challenges, trials and heartaches as well. But, with a testimony of the restored gospel, an understanding of the atonement and a knowledge of who we are, we are able to face these challenges and look at them as a blessing.

I used to think that lucky were they who escaped this mortal probation without the trials and challenges that so many talk about. I have come to understand that someday, sometime, we will all face these challenges and trials in our lives. For some it may be the lingering illness of a spouse, for others the difficulty of a wayward child. For some an unanticipated move and for others, the unexpected loss of a job.

No matter what our challenge or trial may be, if we can change our perspective and see beyond the immediate, we can see our unique challenge for what it truly is; an opportunity to grow closer to our Heavenly Father and our Savior, Jesus Christ. This makes our own unique particular challenge or trial so much easier to bear.

Due to some executive changes at Bob's work, in September of last year, we found ourselves without the security of having employment. This has been an unforeseen challenge and trial for our family. But, it has also given us the opportunity for personal spiritual growth as we have put our faith and trust in a loving Heavenly Father who knows us. I have learned to be humble and teachable. I am grateful for the prayers of many. I have truly felt their power and impact.

I count myself lucky to have parents who are still very active and healthy. They continue to be the unconditional support that I have needed not only throughout my life by especially these last few months.

I am ever thankful for my earthly father who is in good health and is always a listening ear and someone who I can share my deepest concerns of my heart with. Sometimes my phone will ring and as I look down at my caller ID and see my dad's number, I smile. My dad calls just to see how I'm doing at seemingly the times when I need to heart his voice the most. I am so thankful for him and his unconditional love for me. Just hearing his voice seems to put my mind at east and put my heart to rest.

I can testify to you that just as we have an earthly father who loves us, we also have a loving Heavenly Father wh loves us and is as mindful of us, if not more so. He knows each of us individually by name. As we reach out to Him, He is waiting to help us and let us know that He is aware of us and that we are not alone.

As an example, I share with you a simple, personal journal entry.

"Today I received an tender mercy from the Lord. Upon driving to institute today, I said a small prayer asking Heavenly Father to tell me something, instruct me, or give me something that was specifically just for me.

As institute was beginning, Sister Call asked for a volunteer to lead the music. As no one was raising their hand. I volunteered. We sang all 4 verses of Joseph Smith's First Prayer. I love that hymn. It was one of the first hymns that I learned as Primary child. It is a true story set to beautiful music. It reminded me not only of the restoration of the gospel, but that Heavenly Father does indeed hear and answer our prayers.

Our lesson was wonderful. The Spirit was present. At the conclusion of our lesson, Sister Call asked for a volunteer to say the closing prayer. A sister from the Colleyville ward offered the prayer. As she was about to conclude, she hesitated, and then she specifically thanked those who had offered the music this day. It was then that I knew that this was not just a nice thought or gesture. This was a tender mercy extended to me from a loving Heavenly Fahter who loves me, knows me and is aware of my needs and desires. He just had to tell me through the voice of another. Thank you."

As we face challenges in our lives, because we know we are each a special child of God, we know we are never alone.

During this mortal experience, Heavenly Father knew we would face challenges. As our family faced our, I took the opportunity to search what our modern prophets and apostles have said about such experiences through recent conference addresses. I would live to share a few.

Joseph B. Wirthlin shares, " My mother always said, 'Come what may and love it.' I have often reflected on that counsel. I think she may have meant that every life has peaks and shadows and times when it seems that the birds don't sing and bells don't ring. Yet, in spite of discouragement and adversity, those who are happiest seem to have a way of learning from difficult times becoming stronger, wiser and happier as a result. If we approach adversity wisely, our hardest times can be times of greatest growth which in turn can lead toward times of greatest happines. Because Jesus Christ suffered greatly, He understanding our suffering. He understands our grief. We experience hard things so that we too may have increased compassion and understanding for others. I know why there must be opposition in all things. Adversity, if handled correcdtly, can be a blessing in our lives. We can learn to love it."

Elder L. Tom Perry shares, "One of the challenges of this mortal experience is not to allow the stresses and strains of life to get the better of us - but to endure the varied seasons of life while remaining positive, even optimistic.

Elder Neil L. Anderson, of the Seventy states, "Faith is not only a feeling. It is a decision. Fear and faith cannot coexist in our heart at the same time."

Elder Quentin L. Cook shares in his talk, "Hope Ya Know, We Had a Hard Time" quoting President Harold B. Lee, "Sometimes the things that are best for us and the things that bring eternal rewards seem at the moment to be the most bitter." He adds, that "we know from the scriptures that some trials are for our good and are suited for our own personal development. 'Wherefore, be of good cheer, and do not fear, for I the Lord am with you and will stand by you."

President Henry B. Eyring shares, "My purpose today is to assure you that our Heavenly Father and the Savior live and that they love all humanity. The very opportunity for us to face adversity and affliction is part of the evidence of their infinite love. I have seen faith and courage come from a testimony that it is true that we are being prepared for eternal life. The Lord will rescue His faithful disciples. And the disciple who accepts a trial as an invitation to grow and therefore qualify for eternal life can find peace in the midst of the struggle. He can and will give us strength to rise through every trial."

Elder Rafael E. Pino quoting President Howard W. Hunter shares, "If our lives and our faith are centered on Jesus Christ and his resotred gospel, nothing can ever go permanently wrong. On the other hand, if our lives are not centered on the Savior and his teaching, no other success can ever be permanently right."

Brothers and sisters, because we know that we are each a unique child of God, that He knows each of us individually and will be with us and even carry us through our struggles and challenged, we can have much peace in this life.

My testimony of the Savior motivates me to want to be better and to do better each eay of my life. I know what the Savior said to the prophet Joseph is true. "My son, peace be unto thy soul, thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment. And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high."

It is my prayer that we may each endure life well knowing that are are each a unique, special and beloved child of God.

In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.