Peace scripture for today








"Everybody in this life has their challenges and difficulties. That is part of our mortal test. The reason for some of these trials cannot be readily understood except on the basis of faith and hope because there is often a larger purpose which we do not always understand. Peace comes through hope." — James E. Faust

Psalms 34: 14" ...and do good; seek peace, and pursue it"

Isaih 43: 1, 2, 5 "But now thus saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.
When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rives, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned: neither shall the flames kindle upon thee. ..Fear not: for I am with thee"







Peace is not passive. It is an active journey.



And another:

But behold, because of the exceedingly great length of the war….many had become hardened, because of the exceedingly great length of the war; and many were softened because of their afflictions, insomuch that they did humble themselves before God, even in the depth of humility. (Alma 62:41)



At first glance, this scripture may not feel like it is about peace, but, as I read it, I can understand in a new way, that peace is a choice. Where some are hardened, others are humbled. Which will I be?













Monday, February 21, 2011

noticing the good news

I sent this to Alan today, listing bits of good news is a good exercise for me on my journey to peace:

Lots of good news today
  1. I sent in my application for student loan forgiveness and, when I called to follow-up, they said that there is no approval board or anything, it is simply, if I qualify, I get the amount forgiven.  So, now we just wait and see if that is accurate…but,  I was a special ed teacher in Provo from 1992-2004, so, it should work the five years necessary no matter how they calculate it. 
  2. Mrs. Fredlund called me today and told me she is putting Jordan into the highest reading group which is reading a bit beyond a 3rd grade level.  Jordan tested just barely at a 3rd grade level, but, I am really going to push that with Jordan because Jordan has been thinking she is a first grade reader and not eager to read more challenging books. 
  3. Guy has invited Seth to go camping with him Thursday night.  It’s president’s weekend and there’s no school on Friday so, the boys are goin’ campin’  Seth, is SO excited!  When I told him that Uncle Guy wondered if he would like to go camping this weekend, Seth answered with an enthusiastic YES.  Then asked, do you think he will take Tanner too?  I assured him that Uncle Guy would be taking all 3 of his own sons as wellJ.   Funny kid. 
  4. Kailey took the MAPS achievement test today and came up 7 points in math.  That puts her above the expected achievement for math for the year (she got 214 and the expected grade level score for 4th grade end of year is 211)—she bumped down on the last math MAPS test, so, she made up ground with this test. 

Your relationship with God

“If men do not comprehend the character of God, they do not comprehend themselves”
Teachings of the prophet Joseph Smith



When we fully comprehend the LOVE God has for us, that we are His work, that He truly loves us, it changes us.  It really comes down to this: God loves us, He accepts us as a work in progress and accepts our repentance.  He wants us to move forward because He knows that dwelling on past mistakes is damaging to our heart and soul.  If we truly repent, He will remember no more, but, if we can't forgive ourselves, which is part of repentance, then, we, as Lot's wife, turn into "a pillar of salt" and cannot move away from our past.  God loves us and works with us for our progress and our good.  When we see ourselves as God's child, it is easier to comprehend His love for us.  

Saturday, February 12, 2011

Part of peace is knowing you are remembered

A sweet reminder that I am remembered and thought of often is a great source of peace in my life.  Alan really likes me.  I really like him.  We know we are blessed to have our marriage.  We are grateful and we remember that we are grateful.  That helps bring peace and smooth out little wrinkles in life.   Today, as I drove up to my house, I saw flowers on the doorstep.  It made me cry.  A thoughtful gesture is always a good thing. 

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

A different kind of good

This morning, I was awoken early by my sweet husband and we talked for an hour.  I have to say, that if he were here, we wouldn't spend an hour talking to each other before we started the day.  He Skyped me, so, I got to spend time looking at his face.  When we skype, we look at each other's faces.  I focus on his face.  I get to see his blue eyes and his gentle smile.  We sit still and talk for an hour.  It is good, it is sweet, it brightens my life. 

We talk about everything and nothing.  This morning, we talked about the economy, European politics, middle-eastern weather patterns, the stock market (apple is good right now).  We talked about Kailey, Seth and Jordan.  We talked about how much we like each other.  He told me I was beautiful.    I showed him the pile of cookies I made for him and, while I was sitting still in the early hours, I watched the sun rise.  I also noticed as I looked outside over my yard with the sun slowly bringing light to the yard...that there is a sweater in the tree...

We talked about grace.  He had been thinking about it, praying for understanding, I had been reading about it and came across an article that I sent him yesterday.  He prayed for understanding, I came across an article.   God is amazing.  We are 7,000 miles apart and we had the same gospel question in our hearts and prayers.  I didn't know he was searching for understanding, he didn't know I was reading about the topic, but God knew.   Grace.  God is good. 

Saturday, February 5, 2011

Journey to Ithaca-- A poem by Constantine Cavafy

ITHACA When you start on your journey to Ithaca,
then pray that the road is long,
full of adventure, full of knowledge.
Do not fear the Lestrygonians (*)
and the Cyclopes and the angry Poseidon.
You will never meet such as these on your path,
if your thoughts remain lofty, if a fine emotion
touches your body and your spirit.
You will never meet the Lestrygonians,
the Cyclopes and the fierce Poseidon,
if you do not carry them within your soul,
if your soul does not raise them up before you.
Then pray that the road is long.
That the summer mornings are many,
that you will enter ports seen for the first time
with such pleasure, with such joy!
Stop at Phoenician markets,
and purchase fine merchandise,
mother-of-pearl and corals, amber and ebony,
and pleasurable perfumes of all kinds,
buy as many pleasurable perfumes as you can;
visit hosts of Egyptian cities,
to learn and learn from those who have knowledge.
Always keep Ithaca fixed in your mind.
to arrive there is your ultimate goal.
But do not hurry the voyage at all.
It is better to let it last for long years;
and even to anchor at the isle when you are old,
rich with all that you have gained on the way,
not expecting that Ithaca will offer you riches.
Ithaca has given you the beautiful voyage.
Without her you would never have taken the road.
But she has nothing more to give you.
And if you find her poor, Ithaca has not defrauded you.
With the great wisdom you have gained, with so much experience,
you must surely have understood by then what Ithaca means.
--  Constantine Cavafy  (translated by Rae Dalven)

Friday, February 4, 2011

Dear Catherine,

Today, my dear friend Catherine emailed me and asked how I am doing.  I have been so blessed in my life with good friends that show their love for me in so many ways.  Catherine asked how I was doing, and, my heart is lifted just by the question.  I am grateful for my friends who ask me how I am doing and truly have a heart to listen. 

My response to Catherine today was a good reflection of my process right now:

We are doing ok.  Sometimes I do ok, and then I hit a bump where it just isn’t ok.  I seem to cry at least once a day.  Not for long, often-times more just tearing up, but, I find that my emotions are always close to the surface.  I am not even always sad, sometimes I cry when things are cute, sweet, when someone is kind to me, when someone asks how Alan is doing, when someone understands my heart…I am just always close to tears it seams.  I am grateful for prayers and thank you for putting us in the temple and for telling me about the prayer.  Prayer is such a lifeline for me.  I know that people are praying for me and I have asked Alan to say a prayer each night (well, when it is night for us) around bedtime and ask God to protect us and our home.  I have always had a hard time at night and, the prayers of others and my prayers have combined to strengthen me and give me peace at night.  I will always hate nighttime, but, I am not gripped with fear like I have been in the past.  I ask God to send angels to stand at the corners of our property (I am not sure there is any doctrinal reference point here, but it works for meJ) and then I go to sleep, trusting that the words “Oh know ye not that angels are near you, from darkest night into day” are literal and available to me. 

Oh how grateful I am for angels on heaven and earth and for the prayers of good people.