Saturday, October 27, 2012

Flashback #20: Writing in the Sand

One year plus a day to this post. Hmm... it's interesting that I found this little thought because of what's been on my mind lately.

October 26, 2011

Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will shew to you to day: for the [trials which] ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever. The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.  -Exodus 14:13

I had the chance on Wednesday night to go to institute: scripture study for young people ages 18-21. (More details surrounding this circumstance to come!) I must have been blessed enough to go on a fabulous night. One of the stories discussed was the woman taken in adultery in John 8. The teacher then said something that I really loved:

"The wisest choices are made when you take some time to stoop down on the ground and write in the sand for a while."

This, my friends, is so true. I once had a college English professor who taught the same concept. On the day that she would return our grated and edited papers, we were not allowed to talk to her about that grade. End of story. After we had a good nights rest, sometimes a few nights, we could talk to her. It's human tendency to react rashly to something that upsets us. Well, I'm pretty sure the followers of Moses were pretty panicked.

But then... after their patience and faith, did they not witness one of the most famous miracles of all time?

So here's for the liken part- what do YOU do with this thought?

You are most likely worried or angry or frustrated at someone. Or something. Admit it. If you REALLY have nothing, then... well, you will at some point in your life. Guarantee. Before you react harshly though, do something to "write in the sand" for a while. Set the matter aside and do something you enjoy. Read the scriptures and pray, even if you don't think that you feel like it. That might be when you need it the most. Then, it always helps for me to talk to someone that I care about. Just to chat and tell them that you care. Doing an act of service is another great thing to do! Just find what works. Then, after you ponder and pray, make your decision about what you will do. You might not do anything. Maybe God will help to fill in the gap for you.

I still haven't mastered this subject. At all. However, it has blessed my life on more than one occasion.

So dear friends, it's time to make a sandcastle, and God will take a piece and turn it into your mansion.

Have an action-packed day!
Love, Sister Franson


Friday, October 5, 2012

Flashback #19: Have you heard???

HAVE YOU HEARD????
 

How great is that?!
  Sister Franson, what is General Conference?

This is a time when we get to listen to men that can be compared to Moses and Noah and Abraham. They give us personal guidance, and it is a time that we can receive personal revelation or enlightenment for us on an individual level or for our families that we give care for. What better choice can you make than to turn to the servants of the Lord to receive answers to life's questions?

So, take a question! "Prove me now, herewith!" See if it doesn't happen!

Photo: General Conference Countdown: 1 Day 

"Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets." Amos 3:7The big point is that God speaks through a prophet today! He hasn't left us to fend for ourselves or take the best guess at what his gospel really is or what the scriptures mean. I have felt the Spirit of the Lord testify to me that these men truly are inspired, and I know that as I follow their counsel, that my life has been blessed, and I have stayed protected from spiritual and physical danger. I am so grateful that I have these men to receive guidance and counsel from! See? Don't they look happy?

It doesn't hurt to have a peek :)

"Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord, the  Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding. He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that  wait upon the Lord shall  renew their  strength; they shall mount up with wings as  eagles; they shall  run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." Isaiah 40:28-31

*Scripture thought found from November 1, 2011

Have an action-packed day! And take good notes of General Conference!
Love love! Sister Franson


Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Flashback #18: One of my Favorite Things

October 29, 2011. Almost a year ago. I can hardly believe it!

And now, to you, my few but still much appreciated and blessed faithful blog readers. I am going to ask you to do something hard. Make it purposefully hard, not so you can have the same experience that I did, but so you can see how the Savior can cater your experience for you.

Think of something you want to change about yourself. You get to choose. Be sure that it is measurable and attainable otherwise it may not work. And why do you want to change it? I don't know- it's yours. The Lord knows though. Make it a team project between you and Him.

I do love repentance! I think it is easy to forget that repentance and the atonement is not only to wash away sin, but to become a better Christlike person, and for that matter, help us to achieve anything that is good! I love it! I have had goals on my mission that I have set, and I have prayed for. I know it is because of Christ that they have happened. One of my goals was to strive to be a more outwardly happy person. I still am trying to work on that, but I had a friend last week that said to me, "You always look so happy!" And it means a lot to me because it's something I want to improve. Maybe you have a goal to eat more healthy or read your scriptures more often or give up an old bad habit- that's hard! Christ will help. If you truly believe that, put it to the test. Pay the price, put in the time. There is no better time to start than now! The sooner you feel the power of the atonement, the sooner you can feel that burden lifted.

Have an action-packed day!
Love, Sister Franson