Sacrifice and Service

Good Morning Sisters!
Yesterday at church, I heard stories about the Youth Trek. I heard about the challenges and lessons. I heard about service. I heard about not giving up, not complaining, not giving less than 100%. Our youth and the leaders that went on this journey together, found a strength within themselves they were not aware that they had. They sacrificed for each other, They served each other.
In Sunday School, the lesson centered around David and Jonathan. The special relationship they had. They did not betray each, they had a deep, enduring friendship. They sacrificed for each other, They served each other.
In the combined Relief Society and Priesthood Meeting, we heard a talk from Apostle Holland about Christ and his Apostles -- "1st Great Commandment" Oct 2012 General Conference. It also spoke to Sacrifice and Service. Find the talk and read it again.
As we face our challenges and lessons, we should keep sacrifice and service in the forefront. It will help us to get through the challenge and learn the lesson we need to learn. We need to also learn it is not, I repeat, NOT a weakness to reach out to our families, our friends for support during our challenges. We should not be afraid of being turned away, of being denied this loving support. We need to learn to lean on Jesus Christ our Savior to help us get through all of the trials and tribulations this world has for us.
We need to Come Unto Christ.
Kathy

Willingness to Forgive

“The willingness to forgive is a sign of spiritual and emotional maturity. It is one of the great virtues to which we all should aspire. Imagine a world filled with individuals willing both to apologize and to accept an apology. Is there any problem that could not be solved among people who possessed the humility and largeness of spirit and soul to do either -- or both -- when needed?” 
― Gordon B. Hinckley, Standing for Something: 10 Neglected Virtues That Will Heal Our Hearts and Homes

President Hinckley has so many wonderful, thought provoking and to the point insights......This one seems to call to me.....because it is something I have been working on before I came back to church 7 years ago. It has been a struggle for me. As I progress in my knowledge and understanding of the Gospel, I do find it less of a struggle..albeit...small, baby steps...but less of a struggle. I progress and forgive and I find my personal growth magnifies....I find that remarkable!
Precept by precept, line by line, step by step; my spiritual growth increases. My past is full of pain, anguish and struggle. Some I had no control over, some were mistakes I made as a young adult. Fully realizing the power of The Atonement will take a lifetime for me. But as I make my slow but sure progress, the willingness to forgive increases. The power of my past is slowly losing it's hold on me.
I reflect upon my progress....some days, I feel like I am on the way...no one can stop me. Other days, it feels like I have slipped and lost my footing. I find myself leaning more and more on Heavenly Father. And part of that progress is letting go of the past and forgiving so I can move on, so I can progress, so I can have a more pure heart. So I can be more of what Heavenly Father wants me to be.
It is a struggle, I struggle every day but it is a struggle worthwhile to conquer.
Kathy