Walking in The Rain

It's been raining a lot lately, hasn't it? Outside, on our souls and on our spirits. One thing we keep forgetting though is that we need rain, it gives us what we need to grow. I love it when it's green... but it didn't get green on accident. Something we could ask ourselves to get us to our green: "Is anything too hard for the Lord?" Gen 18:14 "Restore, my dear Savior, The light of thy face, Thy soul cheering comfort impart; and let the sweet longing For thy holy place Bring hope to my desolate heart. He looks! and ten thousands Of angels rejoice, And myraids wait for his ward; He speaks! and eternity, Filled with his voice, Reechoes the praise of the Lord." ~Redeemer of Israel v 5&6 If you have any doubt at who I'm going to go to when the rain is pouring on me read D&C 19:16- So sisters, "Is anything too hard for the Lord?" Before going to your friends, kneel. He's waiting.

A Snippet of Optimism

God always answers

Been thinking of an experience I just had that reminded me of this principle. Brooklyn was on her 4th day of a high fever with no other symptoms. She had stopped eating and drinking and acted in pain when she went to the bathroom. At 7o'clock we went to an insta-care where she was examined. They needed a urine sample so they attached to her an uncomfortable plastic bag. For 2 hours she screamed while we waited for her to pee. We tried everything to soothe her, toys, books, walking, going outside... no use. The office was about to close for the night and she still hadn't gone. Exhausted I prayed, "please let her little body know to go the bathroom, she has been uncomfortable for so long. This will help us know how to help her." The staff came in, they were closed. They sent us home with collection supplies and told us to come back tomorrow. She was uncomfortable all night. Heavenly Father said no. The next day we returned to the office with her sample which came back negative for infection. The doctor had been thinking of her and told us that while its rare for children under two, she wanted to run a strept test and re-examine her ears. Had my prayer been answered in my way it would not have helped her and she would have been uncomfortable for longer since the doctor would have missed the strept she now has and her newly developed double ear infection. We received new instructions and medication, and she quickly became more comfortable. Like any good parent, when Heavenly Father says no, He has good reason and we can trust it. Often we confuse the answer "no" or "not right now" with a prayer unanswered. This is false logic. God even said no to His perfect son when Jesus asked, "Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me (Luke 22:42)." When we expect to be given all we ask for when we ask for it, maybe God would reply, "art thou greater than He?(D&C122:8)" No is as much of an answer to prayer as yes is-- instead no takes work and patience and trust. God always answers.

Fear

I have been thinking a lot about fear, partly because of Linda's comments about hope. I catch myself saying, "I'm just afraid..." Or, "I am worried that..." I worry about my children loving the Lord. I worry that bad things are happing around me and I don't want them to happen to me and my children. Then I start to worry about pain. I hate pain. Here are some quotes about fear, and then I was going to try and add some of a talk that I found comfort in, but it is perfectly written the way it is. Read it if you want. "Fear not little children, for you are mine, and I have overcome the world." (D&C 50:41) "fear not; only believe. Believe in God, the father of us all... Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, the son of God." (President Hinkley) "Just as there have been calamities in the past, we expect more in the future. What do we do? Someone has said it was not raining when Noah built the ark. But he built it, and the rains came." (Elder Eyering)-- This reminds me that all I can do about fear is believe in God and do my best to DO what he wants me to DO. We must live in Faith and not by fear. The Lord has said, “If ye are prepared ye shall not fear” (D&C 38:30). "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear." http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?hideNav=1&locale=0&sourceId=26bb76e6ffe0c010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____&vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD