Week 3

I'm a little late with Week 3, but never late than never I guess.
We studied Acts and Romans {basically} with this lesson this week.
There have been so many things going on in the scriptures. I've not
spent as near as much time as I should have in my school work
the last few weeks. With weddings and Thanksgiving, my life has been
so so crazy. Crazy, but wonderful. Family is wonderful. Faith is an important
principle seeping out in all these scriptural happenings and I think that Paul
is a great example of it. He knew who he was. He knew where he was going.
He knew the purpose of his life. I wish I had that right now in my life. But, I'm
not the one 'in charge.' HE is the one that controls all, even if I don't have
a control of anything.

Change of gears. I THINK I've found a good study method - again?!
Listening to the scriptures while I follow along in my own. I need to spend
much much more time immersed in the scriptures. I have this quote by Elder
Christofferson next to my bed:
"For the gospel to be written in your heart, you need to know what it is and grow to understand it more fully. That means you will study it. When I say "study," I mean something more than reading. It is a good thing sometimes to read a book of scripture within a set period of time to get an overall sense of its message, bot for conversion, you should care more about the amount of time you spend in the scriptures than about the amount you read in that time. I see you sometimes reading a few verses, stopping to ponder them, carefully reading the verses again, and as you tink about what they mean, praying for understanding, asking questions in your mind, waiting for spiritual impressions, and writing down the impressions and insights that come so you can remember and learn more. Studying in this way, you may not read a lot of chapters or verses in a half hour, but
you will be giving place in your heart for the word of God, and He will be speaking to you. Remember Alma's description of what it feels like: "It beginneth to enlarge my soul; yea, it beginneth to enlighten my understanding, yea, it beginneth to be delicious unto me." (Alma 32:28) You will know that the gospel is being written in your heart, that your conversion is happening, as the word of the Lord from His prophets, past and present, feels more and more delicious to your soul." Elder D. Todd Christofferson, Ensign, April 2004

Another Religious Blog - Week 2

Dear Friends - This New Testament class takes almost all of my time outside of working full time. I'm always exhausted. (And I'm still hoping to be a mom one day?!) --- uh oh! - I'm in trouble.

This week has been full of new things brought to pass. Soooo, where to begin?! Probably at the beginning...

I try to study. I try to study differently to see whats best for me. I thought I knew, now...not so sure of myself. I get too comfy and fall asleep. Never thought I would be grateful for desks at school. Hmmm...I tweeked the approach this week slightly. Still unsure if it worked... The one thing I WAS proud of - was my principle finding. I was pulling truths out of the scriptures like y'all wouldn't believe! (Pat on the back there.)

I am constantly amazed at the connections that there are in the scriptures. I really enjoyed studying 'Grace' the other day. We were talking in the 'tribulation' department. But, today, as I'm studying 'justification'; I discover that grace and justification go hand in hand. I couldn't fully grasp it - but if any of you have insights - please feel free to share. I'm still trying to connect it all together.... :/

I've connected last weeks lesson to this week's lesson because of the studying I did comparing Paul's life to Joseph Smith's. I was constantly thinking about that as I spent time in the scriptures last week and here it pops up in this weeks lesson. (I don't believe in coinsidences, btw...)

The other part I really enjoyed this last week was studying about the Impact of Example. We can't simply say we know what is right, we have to live it. The phrase that has come again and again to my mind is: Actions speak louder than workds. It doesn't matter who you are, where you come from, how you were raised, what religion you are...Actions speak louder than words. We can all be examples of what is GOOD in this world.
Food for thought for all of us...

Reflections of Week 1

I guess I'll try to compile lots of things I've done for class this last week. I'm learning more and more about my study habits. I am so so easily distracted. It could be something I hear, something else I see on the computer, something I hear, something i smell. You all may laugh at that....but it's TRUE! I have to sit somewhere VERY familiar - otherwise, I'm distracted. My attention span is short! I have to work real hard in a short burst of energy. Then, it's best to get up, do something else and come back to focusing. I have to take advantage of those moments. I get overwhelmed with too much going on. Then, I need to simplify and regroup. My laptop is also my best friend. A) is has my 'study instrumental' playlist on my iTunes -- but again....I walk a fine line. And B) I often need a dictionary to clarify things. I have a little Wiki on my Corners application that is FANTASTIC for this sorta thing. It makes me happy :)

During my study time this last week, I've often thought about how little I know about the New Testament. (Especially this second half we are studying right now.) I love the Four Gospels, but have never taken the time to get to know the people and stories of this second half. Hand in hand with that (and my mom pointed this out to me) is that the more you learn, the less you realize you actually know. You realize how far you have to go in your knowledge of the gospel.

The last thing I've been thinking about is principle finding. I'm not practiced at that. I grateful that we are practicing it for our class! I worked really hard this week to dig in deep. We only need three to submit for class, but I made notes in my notebook and found that I had more than three when I really really applied myself and focused really well on the material.

***I want you all out there in BLOG LAND to know that I have a testimony of the Lord Jesus Christ! Just like the song says: He Lives. All Glory to His Name. He Lives My Savior Still the Same. Oh Sweet the Joy this sentence gives. I know that my Redeemer lives. What an awesome opportunity I have to reflect on the gift my Heavenly Father gave to me. Not only was I blessed with the ability to live forever, but I was given the opportunity to live in the presence of an Almighty, Omnipotent and Loving Father in Heaven who created the Sun, the Earth, the Stars - worlds without number!... down to sidewalks, rain drops, spider webs and me. He has a plan put together SPECIFICALLY for me. That specific plan is not for Jane down the street, not for Dad, but for ME. And yes, he takes care of Jane down the street and Dad - because he loves them too. But, He loves and knows ME! He knows the deepest corner of my soul, the tiniest worry of my heart and the craziness of my brain. I'm incredibly grateful for that.***

My Word!

It's been a long long time since I blogged.
I'll give you all the Reader's Digest version of what's happening with my life.

I'm living at home. I work full time as a dental assistant again. And, it's kickin my trash! I'm so out of shape and so so out of it. I've currently put school on hold for awhile. I'm not sure why exactly Interior Design turned out NOT to be the answer I'd always thought it would be. I have been toying with the idea of taking classes again at UVU to give UVU another shot. (I didn't like it freshman first semester.) I AM however, taking on online New Testament class through BYU I to keep Rexburg an open option....if that's what I decide.

- THEREFORE -

I'm going to be posting a lot again. But, it's going to be New Testament things and gospel stuff I'm learning :)
Hope you are all doing swell!