100 Days

I did it! ---- Now what?

Today is the last day of the 100 day Book of Mormon Challenge that I did with the Young Women in our Ward. I have had a habit of reading the Book of Mormon every day since before I was married (which seems forever ago!). The hard part of the challenge for me was having to read so much for one day. Four or five chapters usually, all while my children got into things they know they aren't supposed to, or interrupted me - endlessly. But I did it! Sometimes I even got insight and inspiration AND recorded it in a journal! Amazing, right?! It was a good experience, and I learned some important things. Here are a couple -

One. I need to do my reading and gospel study

by setting aside a certain amount of time - not by a certain amount to be read. Maybe then I would not feel the need to rush through it and so could do more pondering.

Two. I need to have that study time when the I will

not be interrupted, or needed desperately by the children. (Ha! Good luck!)

Despite needing some study time alone it has been sweet to have my little boy see me reading scriptures, and to explain to him that he needs to be patient until I finish. I think it has been a good way show him the importance of scripture. We also have family "scriptures and prayers" before bedtime. I read in one of the Ensigns about a family who would read one verse per person each night. It has been an easy habit for us to develop. Little John really enjoys "reading" (repeating what we say). Of course the comprehension is not quite there, but the habit is! And lets face it, my heart melts every time I hear that little voice say "And it came to pass...".

So, now that the challenge is over it literally asks "Now what?", and encourages me to start all over again, using a quote by President Ezra Taft Benson

"There are three great reasons why Latter-day Saints should make the study of the Book of Mormon a lifetime pursuit." The Book of Mormon - "is the keystone or our religion", "was written for our day", and "helps us draw nearer to God".

Of course I'll start over! That's what I always do! -- but you know what I did this morning? I read the first chapter of the New Testament. I think that is my "now what". We will continue reading the Book of Mormon as a family, and I will read and study the bible. Most especially looking for lessons about Jesus that I can implement in parenting and teaching. As I contemplate being a "homeschooler" I feel that really knowing my Savior is my safest bet in doing right by my children. 

Yesterdays quote (from the challenge) was actually more powerful in convincing me of the importance of continued gospel and Book of Mormon study. Elder Heber C. Kimball said,

"To meet the difficulties that are coming, it will be necessary for you to have a knowledge of the truth of this work for yourselves. The difficulties will be of such a character that the man or woman who does not possess this personal knowledge or witness will fall. If you have not got the testimony, live right and call upon the Lord and cease not till you obtain it...The time will come when no man nor woman will be able to endure on borrowed light. Each will have to be guided by the light within himself. If you do not have it, how can you stand?"

How can my children stand if I don't teach them the gospel? If I don't teach them how to gain a testimony? Scary thought, especially when I consider my short comings and lack of knowledge. Lets start with the basics though...I should be able to handle that. :) And with consistent reading and study I'm pretty sure I'll be in good hands. 

If anyone has any good study tips or experiences I would love to hear them!

How Do You Respond To Adversity?

I am doing a "100 Day Book of Mormon Challenge". Today is day 45, reading Alma 14-16. It is complete with quotes that go along with the reading, and thought provoking questions. Today's question is "How do you respond to adversity?". I'm not sure how to answer this. My first response is simply 'not very well'. I know how I would like to respond - with such faith and trust in the Lord that I can go through any trial with a smile on my face and confidence that all will be well. Instead I tend to scowl and worry. I do have faith and trust in my Savior but sometimes I have trouble translating that into my thoughts and actions.

More often I need to remind myself that this is what we are here for, this is what I am here for. Not to gain financial stability, not to make sure my family and I are entertained 24/7, not to be carefree. I came here, to this Earth, to prove myself. Yes, this (life) is a test. The ultimate, hands on, open book, completely practical and comprehensive test. What I am faced with, tried with, and tested with does not matter. What does matter is how I act. How do I treat the people around me in any given situation? How do my actions testify of my faith in Christ? Am I listening to and obeying the promptings of the Holy Ghost?

Elder Marion D. Hanks says, "The right question to ask is not why good people have trials, but how shall good people respond when they are tried?".

We all have trials. We all have our own struggles. And we will all have the opportunity to choose how we will respond. Our current Prophet, President Thomas S. Monson reminds us;

"Life is full of difficulties, some minor and others of a more serious nature. There seems

to be an unending supply of challenges for one and all.

Our problem is that we often expect instantaneous solutions to such challenges,

forgetting that frequently the heavenly virtue of patience is required."

A small example: Last night my almost 3 year old decided it was necessary to wake up every half hour until 1:30 a.m.. Every time he woke up I said a little prayer that he would be able to sleep. Was I worried about his well being? No. I was angry and frustrated that MY sleep was being interrupted. Obviously my prayers weren't working. So I lay there, I take a deep breath, and I wonder, "What is going on here?". My son told me that he was tired, he wanted to sleep, he didn't know why he kept waking up. As I calmed down and decided to be patient (instead of frustrated and demanding), an answer came. Say a prayer WITH him. So I did. He welcomed the idea and by his sweet faith he slept much better. Through my chosen response I learned patience, and maybe even some reasoning skills. He learned that Heavenly Father answers prayers. 

Can we learn from a test? Yes, the test of life is all about learning. President Spencer W. Kimball said;

"Suffering can make saints of people as they learn patience,

long suffering and self-mastery. 

The sufferings of our Savior were part of his education."

Our Savior lived on this Earth and went through more trials, pain and heartache than we could possibly imagine. And we know how He responded - with compassion, kindness, patience, forgiveness, and pure love. Through our own trials we are getting the same "education" that He did. He passed perfectly and we can look to Him for answers. We can also be confident in our ability to rise to any challenge and overcome adversity.

1 Corinthians 10:13 (KJV)

There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man:

but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted

above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way

to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

I am so far from perfect it's ridiculous! But I take heart from the fact that I am pointed in the right direction. I want to be good, I want to make the right decisions, I want to have joy in this life no matter my situation. I want to respond to adversity well.