Sundays Post!

So, it has been a while since my last Sundays Post! I have been thinking about this for a while and have not had the time to write it! Our church held it's 178th semi-annual general conference this past October. It is a time when the president of our church with the apostles and leaders share inspiring and motivational talks. One thing I love about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is that we have a modern day prophet that leads and guides in these times. The prophet is an amazing man named Thomas S. Monson. On my last post I think I mentioned that my Grandma joined the church in Canada and was one of the first members in her area and Thomas S. Monson was the mission president there at the time. A few years back he came to Houston to do a conference and took about 30 minutes out of his busy schedule to visit with my Grandma and my Mom. I know it was a great experience for them! President Monson gave a talk titled Finding Joy in the Journey this past October that really touched me. Here are a few things he said:

This is our one and only chance at mortal life—here and now. The longer we live, the greater is our realization that it is brief. Opportunities come, and then they are gone. I believe that among the greatest lessons we are to learn in this short sojourn upon the earth are lessons that help us distinguish between what is important and what is not. I plead with you not to let those most important things pass you by as you plan for that illusive and non-existent future when you will have time to do all that you want to do. Instead, find joy in the journey—now.

If you have children who are grown and gone, in all likelihood you have occasionally felt pangs of loss and the recognition that you didn’t appreciate that time of life as much as you should have. Of course, there is no going back, but only forward. Rather than dwelling on the past, we should make the most of today, of the here and now, doing all we can to provide pleasant memories for the future.

If you are still in the process of raising children, be aware that the tiny fingerprints that show up on almost every newly cleaned surface, the toys scattered about the house, the piles and piles of laundry to be tackled will disappear all too soon and that you will—to your surprise—miss them profoundly.

Stresses in our lives come regardless of our circumstances. We must deal with them the best we can. But we should not let them get in the way of what is most important—and what is most important almost always involves the people around us. Often we assume that they must know how much we love them. But we should never assume; we should let them know. Wrote William Shakespeare, “They do not love that do not show their love.” We will never regret the kind words spoken or the affection shown. Rather, our regrets will come if such things are omitted from our relationships with those who mean the most to us.

Send that note to the friend you’ve been neglecting; give your child a hug; give your parents a hug; say “I love you” more; always express your thanks. Never let a problem to be solved become more important than a person to be loved. Friends move away, children grow up, loved ones pass on. It’s so easy to take others for granted, until that day when they’re gone from our lives and we are left with feelings of “what if” and “if only.” Said author Harriet Beecher Stowe, “The bitterest tears shed over graves are for words left unsaid and deeds left undone.”

Despite the changes which come into our lives and with gratitude in our hearts, may we fill our days—as much as we can—with those things which matter most. May we cherish those we hold dear and express our love to them in word and in deed.
In closing, I pray that all of us will reflect gratitude for our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. His glorious gospel provides answers to life’s greatest questions: Where did we come from? Why are we here? Where does my spirit go when I die? He taught us how to pray. He taught us how to serve. He taught us how to live. His life is a legacy of love. The sick He healed; the downtrodden He lifted; the sinner He saved. The time came when He stood alone. Some Apostles doubted; one betrayed Him. The Roman soldiers pierced His side. The angry mob took His life. There yet rings from Golgotha’s hill His compassionate words, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” Let us follow Him. Let us emulate His example. Let us obey His word. By so doing, we give to Him the divine gift of gratitude.

Here are the youtube links to his talk! There are two parts and the whole talk is great!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcH1jFL1cIA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvvOp8a6tnE

Here is a hard copy link:

http://www.lds.org/conference/talk/display/0,5232,23-1-947-26,00.html

What a blessing it is to have a Prophet that leads and guides us in these times! I am so grateful for the Prophet in my life and the life of my kids!