Spirit of Elijah in Action!

While researching another topic I came across this article and wanted to share! It's another breadcrumb for a topic that keep coming across my path. Must be important! 

The following excerpt from The Holy Temple by President Boyd K. Packer illustrates how we can receive "help from beyond" to do temple work.

At the rededication of the Logan Temple in 1979 I recounted an incident in the life of my wife's grandfather, which I include here.

The Logan Temple is sacred to our family, for there my wife and I were married, and my wife's grandfather responded to the call and helped to construct that temple.

C. O. Law, the superintendent of construction for that temple, wrote on February 25, 1884: "This letter certifies that Brother Julius Smith of Brigham City has worked faithfully and honorably on the Logan Temple for nearly two years, and as the temple nears completion, his branch of the labor being terminated, he is now honorably released and we sincerely trust that Brother Smith may become a participant in the blessings of the House of the Lord which he has assisted to erect."

Brother Smith with his wife, Josephina, lived on a few acres of ground in Brigham City. There they raised fourteen children, my wife's father being the youngest. When the call came for workers to assist in the building of the temple, he responded.

Each Monday morning he left his family in the care of his wife and hiked up through Flat Bottom Canyon, down Dry Canyon to the south end of Cache Valley, and on to Logan. After his week's work on Saturday, he walked home to spend Sunday with his family.

He was not a young man, just over five feet tall, and very slight in build. He was, nevertheless, assigned as a hod carrier. For the younger readers I explain that a hod carrier would fill a V-shaped wooden box full of mortar or plaster. He would lift it to his shoulder and carry it to where the masons were working, often carrying this very heavy weight up long ladders.

On the afternoon of August 11, 1883, Brother Smith was supplying two plasterers who were finishing the ceiling a hundred feet above the ground in the northwest tower of the temple. Suddenly the scaffolding gave way, tipped to one side, and fell. The projections for the spiral staircase had been installed. The three men tumbled through these projections and landed at various levels amid the rubble. The record states that they were removed to their homes and soon returned to their work, having sustained only minor injuries.

The hope "that Brother Smith would participate in the blessings of the House of the Lord which he had assisted to erect" was amply fulfilled. He went there often.

As a young man he had lived among the Indians. In later years when Indian bands would visit Brigham City, one of the Indians would go to the home of Brother Smith. His visits were not welcomed by the rest of the family, for he would peer in every window intently until he determined that Brother Smith was home. And only then would he knock at the door.

One night, some years after the completion of the temple, Brother Smith was reading his newspaper. He heard a noise at the window, and he saw his Indian friend peering in with an unusually sad expression. He went to the door and found no one there, and the snow beneath the window had not been disturbed.

This incident bothered him greatly, and during the following week he tried to locate and get some information about this Indian friend. He learned that he had died.

In due time, he recorded, "Today I have taken care of his work in the temple." That very evening he was looking through the mail and again heard a sound at the window. When he looked up he saw his Indian friend, this time smiling. He counted that a very sacred experience, and in the record of a great amount of work done by this faithful grandfather in this temple is found the name Be-a-go-tia.

I have wondered over the years about the meaning of the scripture recorded three times in the Book of Mormon, that "the course of the Lord is one eternal round." (1 Nephi 10:19, Alma 7:20, Alma 37:12.)

I can see one meaning as it relates to our work for the dead. Genealogical work, the essential preparation for temple work, puts us to seeking through the records for those who have lived in the past. We look back to the past to find them. We perform temple ordinance work for them and then we look forward to the future to meet them. Something sacred is consummated when we have safely recorded, in the list of ordinances completed, the names of those who lived in our past and who yet live in our future. This ordinance work is crucial to us and to the Church.

In President Packer’s characteristic warmth and authoritative manner, he examines in appropriate detail the doctrines and practices surrounding the holy temples that dot the world. A timely and valuable book, The Holy Temple will help members at every stage of life as it focuses on a temple’s purpose, beauty, and the blessings it offers.

Part one offers the Lord’s invitation: “Come to the temple.” It sets forth the requirements for attendance and the attitude and behavior appropriate for those attending that holy place on the first and all subsequent occasions. Part two deals in brief fashion with the ancient temples, then turns to the central human figure in the work of the temple—Elijah the Prophet, who anciently held the keys relative to the sealing power of the priesthood. Malachi’s prophecy and the human tradition about Elijah’s return in the latter days are impressively set forth.

Elijah’s return and all that it means for the happiness and salvation of man-kind are the themes of parts three and four. Following early Restoration scenes, the Kirtland Temple is built at great personal sacrifice. Dedicated, it fulfills a major purpose in the glorious visions of April 3, 1836, the Savior himself introducing three heavenly beings who then convey priesthood keys. One of these is Elijah. Thereafter the revelations progressively develop the doctrine of temple work for both the living and the dead; under divine direction temple ceremonies are introduced, and participants eagerly flock to the Nauvoo Temple; through President Wilford Woodruff the supporting work of lineage linking is clarified by revelation; and the spirit of Elijah is mani­fest both in and out of the Church as genealogical research and temple work blossom, temples multiply, and those beyond the veil assist those involved in the work here.

What Happens to Those Who Die Without a Knowledge of Jesus Christ?

A couple months ago, I came across a video on YouTube where a preacher and a college student were having a conversation about what happens to people on the earth who die without ever having learned about the gospel or Jesus Christ. What the preacher said made me sad, and I just felt that I needed to make a video to share the truth about this topic.

The day that I recorded the video, a video conference video popped up of President Nelson talking about this very topic. I had planned to add this into my video, but I forgot. He said, 

“Even those who died without a knowledge of the gospel. Who would have received it, if they had been permitted to tarry, shall be heirs of the Celestial Kingdom of God. His plan is also merciful. He will judge all men according to their works, according to the desires of their hearts.” (meaning he will judge us for our actions and what we did, but what will trump all of that is what’s in our hearts.) 

Yes, if you didn't get to hear about the gospel while living on this earth, but you would have received it had you learned about it, God knows this and He has a plan. 

The Ten Lost Tribes: Where Are They Now?

I watched this a few years ago and I loved what I learned! The other day it popped up in my feed again, and I was excited to share!

 

Becoming Whole & Casting Nets

It's has been the busiest summer ever! There are so many posts I want to write, but I find myself never having enough time in the day and therefore sharing these topics in my video messages. I plan to post something later in the week that will lead very well into my next video message. I think you will like it! :)

This week's video message is about some dreams and visions that shed light on what we need to be doing in this final hour, as well as signs, symbols, and number meanings. I share an incredible story and vision about a mother and her missionary son. Enjoy!

Heavenly Manifestation

An experience I shared on my Happy Lady facebook page on Wednesday;

"This morning I went to the temple. I almost didn’t go because I got a late start, but then decided to go to the Ogden temple and just do initiatories. I was sad because I have ancestor names filed at the Bountiful temple in our stake drawer. I really wanted to do their work. I had this feeling that all would be well. A friend of mine (with the same name 😄) just texted me right now and told me she went to the Bountiful temple this morning to do an endowment and took a name from the stake drawer. She told me she was so happy when she looked down and saw that I had submitted the name. I also learned that she was sick but decided to go to the temple anyways. I felt so blessed. God is so amazing! Even though I couldn’t do my ancestors work today, because I went, their work got done. Because my friend went, God used her to bless our family! I know He is sending blessings her way as well ❤️ I felt so much love and texted her some hearts. Then I looked down and saw this heart right in front of my feet! My ancestor sent her love as well."

My Husband's Dream

My husband had a dream two nights ago that there was a storm. All the trees in our yard bent over and broke. Then it moved onto the neighbors yard and their trees also bent over and snapped. He thought it a very strange dream. My husband seldom has dreams, and rarely remembers them or shares them with me. I knew this dream was of importance.

I told him that trees represent the family so this dream would mean that a coming storm is going to try and "break" families. I have seen this already happening in my neighborhood.  

I saw this as reminder that we need to shield our home, property and family daily. A day that goes by without prayer or request of Divine protection, is a day that the adversary can infiltrate. The power of prayer is real. The power of the Hosts of Heaven is mighty.

I'm going to put my prayer emphasis on my neighborhood and all the sweet families in my ward and stake. Every morning and night. I think it's great that we pray for our neighborhoods and communities. We don't have to accept or tolerate darkness. We can call upon Heaven to attack it anytime. As we do this, and then ask for Divine protection to keep darkness from coming back in, we can be triumphant!

My marriage and relationship with my children is the best it has ever been right now. It's too important to leave vulnerable to the enemy. I know we have been blessed because of this daily Divine protection. It's my prayer that other families will not yield to the lies and traps of Satan and that they will have the strength to ask for help, and not try to fight the battle on their own. I know that angels are always standing by ready to come fight on our behalf. We just need to ask.

I say this in the name of Jesus Christ amen.

The Movement Against the Family

You don't have to look hard to see the many ways Satan tries to destroy the family on a daily basis. This recent blog post, I Look Down On Young Women With Husbands and Kids and I'm Not Sorry, has been all over facebook, news headlines and talk radio.  When I first saw this post last week it didn't anger me but instead made me feel sorry for the woman who wrote it. How can a woman who is not married and does not have kids, make such judgements about women who are married and do have kids? I saw it as a possible bandaid post to cover up some personal inner sadness and insecurities. When you are happy with yourself and your life, you don't make the time and effort to put down others - instead you use your time to help uplift and build up others.

All of these feminist movements have an underlying tone of personal unhappiness and it's a personal choice to read into them and become bothered or simply just ignore them. Because of the way this post effected so many people that I know, I felt I need to respond.

Here is my personal response to this blog post:

Motherhood is Truly Remarkable

Also, here is a wonderful article about motherhood that I found in the March 1983 Ensign by Margaret Richards.

I Rejoice in Being a Mother

What is the "Household of Faith"?

I received my patriarchal blessing when I was thirteen years old. There is a topic in there that I never quite understood until recently. It speaks of me being raised in a "household of faith".

Being thirteen I took that as meaning that that I must have learned a lot about faith growing up under my mom's roof. I thought that odd because nothing particular came to mind. We were poor most of my childhood and so I wondered if the Lord was referring to us having to rely on our faith to get us through hard times.

A couple years ago, something prompted me to look deeper into that phrase. I Googled it and soon learned that the household of faith is more than what I thought it was. These are the amazing talks I discovered.

The first is called, "Households of Faith" by Bruce R. McConkie. I remember wishing that Elder McConkie was still alive so I could ask him what the "household of faith" is as it is mentioned in the scriptures and he was the church expert on Mormon doctrine.So, you can imagine how thrilled I was to discover that he had written an article about it before my time. It's an amazing and powerful article.
http://www.lds.org/ensign/1971/04/households-of-faith

The second is a conference talk by J. Richard Clarke called. "The Household of Faith" which was clearly written for our time. What's interesting is, I forgot about all of this until today when scrolling through facebook a friend of mine posted the talk. It is so relevant to our day that it's almost a little eerie. After reading it again, I felt prompted to share with you as well.

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1980/10/the-household-of-faith?lang=eng&cid=facebook-shared

I hope you enjoy these amazing talks and I would love to hear your thoughts.

I know the words of these great men to be true with all my heart. I say this in the name of Jesus Christ amen. 

Voices From Beyond

While visiting my inlaws this week, I had an interesting experience in the middle of the night.

I don't know what time it was but I'm guessing around 3:30 A.M. I heard children's voices possibly even just one child. It was very happy and almost laughing and joyous. It sounded muffled so I couldn't make out what it was saying but at the same time it was so loud I could hear it in my room and it woke me up. There was an echo to each word said. All the kids were fast asleep and it lasted a good half hour or so. It was very interesting and made me happy. 

I  felt as though it was a voice of someone beyond the veil who loved me and was trying to say something to me. Maybe a child? It sounded far away as though it were coming from heaven but yet was so loud I could hear it in my room. I could hear it inside of me. It was the strangest thing.

The last time I visited four years ago, I had seen an appraition in the middle of the night go down the hallway. When I described what it looked like to my mother in law her eyes grew big and she believed it to be her father. What I described him wearing was what he had worn the day he passed away. She had always beleived that each night he visited her in her room to check on her and then made his way down the hall to tilt my son's picture on the wall to let her know he was there. Each morning the picture would be crooked and she would fix it. I saw him come through her bedroom door and down the hall towards my son's picture. She couldn't believe it.

We have always felt as though my husband's grandpa was a guardian angel to my son. When he was two years old he would tell us about a friend that visited him often who wore all white clothing. He said his name was Mykin. One day he saw a picture of Manuel's grandpa and said that was him. Manuel's grandpa is German and in German "Mein Kind" means "My child". I beleive that's what his "friend" probably said each time he greeted him and so Gabe called him "Mykin".One day this friend of his stopped visitng and we asked him why? He responded that his friend had to go back to work.

One day when Manuel's grandpa was slowly dying we visitied him at his home. He was lying in a hospital bed. Manuel and I were newly married and I didn't know his family too well yet. His grandpa was blind at that point and they said he was out of his mind. He heard my voice and asked for me. I thought that strange since he didn't speak any English and he didn't know me. Plus there were people he didn't remeber anymore. He took my hand, squoze it as hard as he could and wept like a baby. He was saying things in German and he kissed my hand. No one told me what he said, but I felt like he had seen beyond this world and he knew things. The rest of the family thought he had gone crazy, but I believe he prbably was visiting beyond the veil. He probably met our first born son who wouldn't be born until six years later. He knew things we didn't.

When I was pregnant with Gabe I remember one night feeling Manuel's grandpa's presence next to my bed and it was a very calm and loving feeling. I felt safe. I beleive he has always had a special stewardship over my son.

Humility and a Hospital - The Bright Side of Adveristy

This last week was pure exhaustion! So much sickness has come in and out of our house over the last 3 weeks and I am the only one who has managed to avoid it. My 6 year old son was hit the hardest by a nasty virus that wreaked havoc and everyone for 24 hours. For him, he never seemed to recover.

On the 2nd day of being sick, I was at the church all night as I was in charge of a Relief Society activity. My husband went to give my son a blessing and could not find his oil. So he gave a blessing without the oil. The next day after no improvement, I felt helpless and wanted to see what else could be done. My husband was at work carrying out a huge event that he could not miss. So, I went on Facebook asking if any priesthood brethren were home who could come administer a healing blessing with oil. 

 Within a few minutes several women were offering their husbands, fathers, grandfathers (you name it!) to come help. Finally, a brother from the ward showed up in a white shirt and tie ready to give a blessing. He is a dentists as is his wife. Apparently his wife showed up while he was with a patient and he asked her what she was doing there and she replied, "I'm here to take over so you can go give Sister Rietzsch's son a blessing." He left work, went home and changed and came over to our home.

I was so touched and humbled by this kind act and the many kind acts that followed from everyone in the neighborhood for the rest of the week.

The blessing was powerful and the Spirit bore witness that Gabe would heal in due time. After it was over Gabe was able to rest in bed for 7 hours without having to get up once. It was a blessing!

Late into the night the illness came on strong again, and he was again a slave to the bathroom. Gabe began to sob, saying that the blessing had not worked. I had to explain to him that blessings always occur on the Lord's time and according to our faith. The Lord said he would be healed in due time not "instantly". It broke my heart to see him so discouraged but I knew he was needing to learn this for a reason.

The next morning, not much had changed.After missing a whole week of school, and the doctor telling me to wait it out three more days before I bring him in, I finally drove him to Primary Children's Medical Center and admitted him to the ER.

He was dehydrated from severe diarrhea and his bowels were very irritated to the point of continuous bleeding. He was given an IV and fully hydrated in just a couple of hours. They took samples and sent in for tests. After nothing else could be done, they sent us home. He was starting to show improvement, had the energy to laugh again and was able to sleep through the whole night.

The next morning he was completely himself again! Now, he could see that the blessing had been fulfilled. He was better!

During this experience several thoughts crossed my mind. First I thought about how terrible these viruses are getting and wondered if it's a blessing to help strengthen our immune systems for what is to come. Then, I thought about how the Lord tests and strengthens those he chooses. The younger generations have a lot to prepare for in these last days and they need to be strong. Our patience, endurance, faith and testimonies are being challenged often to help us and the Lord know where we stand. Can He use us in the way that He needs to? What do we need to learn and experience in order to be better prepared and strengthened?

Realizing this helped me get through one crazy week. We learned that relying on the Lord is all you can do in situations like this. We learned that we have wonderful neighbors who care and want to help in our times of need. We learned that we are a lot stronger than we realized. We learned that sometimes being exhausted of all your energy puts you in a position to experience great humility. Humility reminds us of where our strength and blessings come from. We remember that we are nothing without God.

There are several scriptures that teach us about the importance of humility. Here are some that I really like:

Doctrine and Covenants 104:79-80

 And it is my will that you shall humble yourselves before me, and obtain this blessing by your diligence and humility and the prayer of faith.

 And inasmuch as you are diligent and humble, and exercise the prayer of faith, behold, I will soften the hearts of those to whom you are in debt, until I shall send means unto you for your deliverance.

Doctrine and Covenants  112:10

  Be thou humble; and the Lord thy God shall lead thee by the hand, and give thee answer to thy prayers.

This experience has reminded me that the Lord gives us adversity so that we remember him. What a beautiful thing affliction can be when you have suffered through it and become refined. When you remember the Lord in everything- you find your strength!

I say this in the name of Jesus Christ amen.

Hastening the Work

The leaders of the church seem to be really focusing on this topic lately. A member of our bishopric bore his testimony on this topic as well today. I don't know about you but I really feel that the Lord is hastening His work upon the Earth. In the last few months this has really snowballed!

Today, I was on lds.org and read a message by Elder Russell M. Nelson. I love what he shared about his wife and this subject. He said:

“We not only teach this concept, but we participate in it,” he remarked to the departing missionary couples. “We do so as we help to gather the elect of the Lord on both sides of the veil. Marvelously and mercifully, the invitation to come unto Christ can also be extended to those who died without a knowledge of the gospel. Part of their preparation requires earthly efforts of others.”

He said his wife, Wendy, whom he had introduced to the group earlier in the session, “is on night call.” He explained that she feels the call of deceased ancestors and works late into the night doing research to identify them. “She keeps our family supplied with names for those people who are keeping her from sleeping at night.”

I too have felt certain names in my family tree press upon my mind. Sometimes we forget that while it is hastening on earth it is also hastening on the other side. In the last few months our bishop has increased temple work from our ward members. It's going full speed ahead!

A couple of years ago in our old ward there was a couple who spoke one Sunday during sacrament meeting. They shared a beautiful experience that I would love to share with you!

They had moved away from Utah for a job and during that time had befriended a nice couple through that same job. The couple were not members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. So many months later, the husband died in a tragic accident. It was very sad and the wife had a hard time with his death.

Over the next couple of months, the husband who was killed  would often visit his friend (the husband of the couple in our ward) and tell him to please do his temple work. His friend was very afraid to approach his wife and tell her that her deceased husband was regularly visiting him and telling him he wanted to be baptized and have all of his ordinances done. However his friend continued to visit him in his dreams and insist that he do his work.

One day the friend gathered some courage and wrote a letter to the wife explaining to her what had been happening and asked for her permission to do his work. She read the letter and called him and bust into tears and said that she had been raised a member of the church and had been baptized and ever since her husband passed away she too had been longing to have that work done so they could be together forever.

So, he went to the temple and did the work on behalf of his deceased friend. When it was complete, his friend came to him in another dream, dressed in white and thanked him for doing his work.

It was a beautiful story and the spirit was so strong when they shared it. The couple could not hold back their tears as they each gave their perspective on the story.

I have really enjoyed doing genealogy these past few years. It never seems like there is enough time in the week to get a lot of it done, but whenever I find the time to work on it I am always blessed.

I know the time is getting near for the Lord's return. Let us all do our part to help hasten this work and we will be blessed for our efforts. I say this in the name of Jesus Christ amen.

Reaching Through the Veil

This weekend, I was able to dig out a large box of old photos and documents from past ancestors, that still to this day no one understands how I inherited it. I got the box from my mom, she got it from her mom but neither of them ever looked through it or knew what was in it. My Grandma doesn't remember who gave it to her.

I truly believe that I ended up with it, because someone on the other side of the veil knew I would do something with it. In fact, as I've explored the old documents in there some dating back to 1910, I've delighted in learning about these people whom I truly believe have some sort of stewardship or watch over me and my family. Their stories had been forgotten and unkown throughout the last few generations. I was about to resurrect them!

It's like having discovered a giant treasure box full of precious jewels. I still can't believe that I have these items and I can't wait to piece the photos, letters, and stories together to further my family tree and genealogy work. It really feels as though unseen visitors have been guiding me, urging me and influencing me to learn about them.

I found a patriarchal blessing from 1923. It was very fascinating to read and very different from any blessing in my family that I have ever read. The woman's name in whom the blessing belonged to (Lucille Oakden Karzis) was also written on the back of several post cards, letters and photos. I did some research and found out she is my great grandmother's sister and it doesn't appear that she ever had children. It does not mention anything about a husband or children in her blessing either - very interesting. She received this blessing at the age of 29. I really wanted to scan in her blessing thinking it might be okay as it is very old. Then I felt that it was still sacred and should be treated that way.

Something I do want to share is the interesting signature I found at the bottom. Here it is:   Hyrum G Smith

Clearly he must have been directly related to the late prophet's brother Hyrum Smith. So I did some research and yes, he was! I then googled Hyrum G. Smith and got to know who he was a little better.

After learning more about him and then reading these beautiful words in the blessing he gave my ancestor, it was a surreal experience. To think that this blessing had been hidden away for so long, and these people forgotten by today's generations. I feel it's my duty to share what I learn about the amazing fore-bearers who built up Zion before our time. In doing so, I truly believe I am making a personal connection with these individuals through the veil by honoring their lives and who they were. I firmly believe that I will be blessed by making this a priority.

Here is a little bit about what I learned about Hyrum G Smith:

Hyrum Gibbs Smith (July 8, 1879 – February 4, 1932) was Presiding Patriarch of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) from 1912 until his death.

Smith was born in South Jordan, Salt Lake County, Utah Territory to Hyrum Fisher Smith and Annie Maria Gibbs. At the age of 32, he was ordained a high priest and Patriarch to the Church on May 9, 1912 by Church President Joseph F. Smith. Hyrum G. Smith's paternal grandfather John Smith was the Presiding Patriarch immediately before him. John Smith was the son of Hyrum Smith, the elder brother of Joseph Smith, Jr., the founder of the LDS Church. The father of Joseph and Hyrum, Joseph Smith, Sr., was the first Patriarch to the Church.

Smith died of pneumonia in Salt Lake City.^[1] After his death, the office of Presiding Patriarch was left vacant for several years, but was eventually filled by Smith's nephew Joseph Fielding Smith. In 1947, Hyrum G. Smith's son Eldred G. Smith became the Patriarch to the Church.

 I can't wait to learn more and share!

The Value of Your Treasure

 Do you ever feel like you don't have enough time in your day? Are you often frustrated, easily stressed out, or sometimes just plain overwhelmed and exhausted?  Is it to the point that when service is needed, you feel like the last person on earth with the time or strength to serve and either  turn down the opportunity or serve grudgingly?

This last month I have been reflecting a lot on time, talents and service. We just moved into our new home a month ago. As I've been working hard at getting the house put together and my various other projects, there have been more and more friends, family and sometimes complete strangers who have reached out to me if one way or another asking for help with their ideas, projects and talents.

The quilt I finished for my baby's bed

With it being just weeks away from my family house warming party I thought, "Oh no, how am I ever going to get my own projects done?" In addition to that, I was trying to work my business, throw a birthday party, celebrate Mother's Day, attend performances and get my kids from point A to point B when needed throughout the week. As the worrying set in, a subtle peace came over me each time, assuring me that the service I was rendering was much appreciated not only by the receiver but also the Lord.

My son's big birthday party last mont

It was then, that the law of consecration came into my mind. The law of consecration is a divine principle whereby men and women voluntarily dedicate their time, talents, and material wealth to the establishment and building up of God’s kingdom. As Latter days Saints (Mormons), we are taught and asked to live the law of consecration in our daily lives. Though not always easy (especially when you are a busy mom), we understand the importance of it and the blessings that come from dedicating ourselves to the Lord and His work.

My daughter at Nationals for clogging last month

I used to wonder why I hadn't been blessed with stronger musical and singing talent. I love music and I have always wanted to write and perform but no matter how hard I worked at it, my musical abilities were very weak. However I have been blessed with the gift of speaking and writing. I often forget that the Lord has blessed me with this gift for His purposes. What things have you been blessed with in your life? Think about how the Lord has blessed you with these things, characteristics or abilities for an eternal purpose. How are you using your gifts to help Him?

Everything we have, comes from the Lord (including our talents). The gifts we have been given are not just for own benefit, they have a deeper purpose. When I remember this, it makes it a bit easier to give to others what has been given to me. The more we give, the more the Lord will fill our cups so that we can continue to give.

I don't know about you, but the parable of the talents comes to mind here. In Matthew 25:13-40, Jesus tells of a master who was leaving his home to travel, and before going entrusted his property to his servants (property worth 8 talents, where a talent was a large unit of money). One servant receives five talents, the second two talents, and the third one talent, according to their respective abilities.

Returning after a long absence, the master asks his servants for an accounting. The first two servants explain that they have each put their money to work and doubled the value of the property they were entrusted with, and so they are each rewarded. The third servant, however, has merely hidden his talent in a hole in the ground, and is punished for being lazy.

While on this spiritual whirlwind I was being lifted higher and higher to a better understanding of why I needed to realign my priorities. I mean, how important were my projects that I couldn't take a break from them to help someone nurture and grow their own talents? By doing so, these individuals would be able to use their own talents and ideas to do what I was doing (the ripple effect) and thus build the kingdom. The Lord gave me my talents so that I could use them to help others.

Think about the many times in your own life when you needed someone's help, advice, wisdom or some motivation. How grateful were you for the countless people who set aside their busy schedule to help you achieve what you needed at that moment. In fact, it's possible that you achieved an unimaginable goal because of this person. Did you pay it forward to help another?

The real influence here is our motive. It all comes down to what we are seeking after. In  Matthew 6:19-21 Jesus says:

 19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:

 20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:

 21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Yes, I had to re-evaluate my treasure last month.  It wasn't  beautiful decorations, earning extra spending cash, or even a clean kitchen. It was of a heavenly and eternal nature. Recognizing this changed my heart which of course is what changed my priorities.

You know what? Changing my priorities actually brought me greater happiness. In fact, as I gave up more of my time, some amazing opportunities came knocking at my door. Not only will these opportunities allow me to help more people, but they will bless my family in ways we had prayed for.

As crazy as it may sound I was even blessed with more time! I prayed to the Lord that there just didn't seem to be enough time in my days to do all things I needed to do to meet my deadlines. I was willing to sacrifice my "projects" during the week in order to keep my priorities aligned with His but if it wasn't too much to ask I would greatly appreciate being able to knock off my to do list all in a day (which my husband said was impossible). The housewarming party was 36 hours away. There were curtains that needed to be hung, flowers to be planted, furniture to put together, food to be prepared, regular cleaning to be done and the list went on.

I don't know how He did it, but the Lord allowed me to complete my entire list all in one Saturday. My kids were extra obedient that day, my husband was extra sweet and for some odd reason did not have any Saturday projects of his own and cheerfully helped me with everything I asked of him (a rare moment). It was as if I had entered some strange twilight zone where everything was strangely perfect. It even seemed like someone had slowed down the clock and as busy as we all were the hours had stretched out. I had never experienced anything like it before and I knew that God had answered my prayer. 

Our Father in Heaven is very wise and all knowing. We are His hands here on earth. He gives us time, talents and sometimes wealth, so that we can use it to help others. If we are faithful and show Him that He can rely on us as a tool in His hands, He will continue to use us for those purposes and we will be blessed with more, so that we can do more.

If you are feeling overwhelmed, stressed, frustrated or just plain unhappy, here is a little exercise you can try that just might help:

Take a blank sheet of paper and number it 1-5

...go ahead...

....... I'll wait while you start numbering.........

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Okay.  Now starting with number 1, write the main item that you spend the most time on or put the most effort into during the week. It might be cleaning, work, a church assignment/calling or facebook.

Continue this in order of what takes most of your time and effort until you have listed 5 items. 

Below this, number your paper 1-5 again. Again,  starting at number one write the things you value most in your life in order of 1 being the most important until you have listed the top 5 items in your life.

Now compare your two lists side by side. See if your priorities match up to what you value. If they are out of alignment, this is the underlying factor to your unhappiness and frustration. Do your best to change your priorities to match up with what you value and are of most importance. How can you make changes in your schedule to afford the time and effort for the things you value most. 

The Lord needs us to to have the strength and energy to lift those around us. Everyone is busy and if we all used that as our reason for avoiding service, what a sad world this would be. Service is the thread that binds us all together. You can't learn to love someone until you serve them. Whether it be your children, your husband, your neighbors or a complete stranger, it's service that strengthens these relationships and builds stronger families, communities and even a better world.

It was no surprise to me that God had placed these service opportunities in my path each week for a reason. I had the right strengths to offer these individuals in their time of need. I was even an answer to some prayers (as I had been told). In return, I needed to learn patience, faith and humility.

It's funny to me that when serving in the moments when you feel the least able to serve, everything ends up working out. What you thought was an obstacle standing  in the way of sharing your time and talents, seems to disappear. Life somehow becomes easier to manage as we focus on the value of our eternal treasure. It's strange how the Lord works, but sometimes the miracle doesn't happen until we apply our faith first.