Feeling so behind on posting on this blog. It is definitely not for lack of Spiritual thoughts, or experiences, I just have made other things priorities these days over writing them down. Maybe I am in my winter blues mode aka seasonal depression. But even amidst that, I have had a very Spirit filled weekend.
It all started off when I attended one of my favorite Primary kids baptism on Saturday. The Spirit I felt there was so strong. My eyes teared through basically the whole service. I loved the analogy given from the speaker by using KIT KAT's to describe the covenants we make at baptism.
Keep the commandments
Always Remember him
Take his name upon you
Then when I attended prayer meeting at the temple the tears continued from the sweet words our matron shared with us from the quote below.
Isaiah 22:20–25. “I will fasten him as a nail in a sure place”
The following resources provide some explanation for the phrase “I will fasten him as a nail in a sure place”:
“Isaiah made a symbol of Shebna’s replacement, Eliakim. His name means ‘God shall cause to arise,’ anticipating the Savior, who holds the ‘key of the house of David’ but was fastened ‘as a nail in a sure place’ until the burden of the Atonement was complete. Upon Him rests ‘all the glory of his father’s house.’ Isaiah recommended depending on Him for everlasting security (Isa. 22:20–25 and fn.)” (Ellis T. Rasmussen, A Latter-day Saint Commentary on the Old Testament [1993], 517–18).
“The ‘nail in a sure place’ (Isaiah 22:23) is messianic and symbolizes the terrible reality of the cross, though only a part of the total suffering of the Lord that caused Him to ‘tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit’ (D&C 19:18). Just as the nail of the cross that was driven in the sure place secured the body of the one being crucified, so the Savior Himself is, to all who will, a nail in a sure place, for He has given them power so that none need be lost (see John 17:12). As Christ brings the redeemed to the Father, the glory becomes His own, and the redeemed and their offspring will become part of the family of heaven under the throne of Christ
(see D&C 19:2; Matthew 28:18; 1 Corinthians 15:27–28; Philippians 2:5–11; 3:21)” (Old Testament Student Manual: 1 Kings–Malachi, 3rd ed. [Church Educational System manual, 2003], 159).
Then today there were a number of things that stood out to me at church.
First one brother shared a story of a missionary who on a bus in another country commented on a ladies socks, saying, "I like your socks". This struck up a conversation and an appointment with a missionary that later turned to a baptism.
Below contains the talk it starts at 33:18 and ends at 44:50
It makes you wonder how many missed sock conversations happen every day that could turn into someone potentially being able to find the joy and peace and knowledge they have been so earnestly looking for.
Another story this brother shared talked about some very interesting questions a gentlemen had while investigating the church. One question was "How will my life change once I am baptized?"
What a profound and thought provoking question. I am sure I will share my answer to that question, but I am still pondering on it.
Also loved this quote from his talk on miracles by Elder Rasband
“Many of you have witnessed miracles, more than you realize. They may seem small in comparison to Jesus raising the dead. But the magnitude does not distinguish a miracle, only that it came from God. …Miracles are wrought by divine power by Him who is “mighty to save. Miracles are extensions of God’s eternal plan; miracles are a lifeline from heaven to earth.”
After sacrament meeting I attended a teacher council training and it was an excellent discussion on how to teach the Savior's Way and how to engage the learners. Two suggestions I liked is asking questions where everyone can participate with a thumbs up or a thumbs down. Or a question to have each person share something with the person sitting next to them so that all are able to participate and not just those who like to give all the answers.
Lastly I attended a missionary huddle with other members of auxilliary leaders to try and engage more people in our community.
After coming home from church, Hen and I played domino's before he headed off to work in the snow.
That was another highlight of the weekend. Hen sitting next to me in Sacrament meeting. I pray he will want to continue to go with me now that our ward starts earlier.
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