Things Inspired

Im not sure what exactly the pull is.. infact I dont know what the force behind our Lord is, but it is one "addiction" I must say I am thrilled to have! After being inactive in our church for 2 years due to quite a few unhealthy circumstances and now coming back into it full swing, I am still in awe about just how much I've missed! And it is funny that when you come back to your senses how amazingly large those little "duh!!" moments are. My husband and I have taken to reading our scriptures everynight almost never fail and then taking turns saying nightly prayers together as a couple before our individual prayers. I feel I am a great candidate for being able to vouch for this particular method of worship! I cannot tell you how much it means to me that my marriage grows stronger with every verse and every prayer and every little spiritual realization and "duh" moment we have together. I think it also makes a difference saying prayers together before personal ones and here is why: We are covenented to our spouses by His word, and the ordination/institution of marriage is the first and foremost important part of the Living Christian Family.“So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.” (Matthew 19:6) To be able to pray together as a couple/family is to HONOR our Heavenly Father and give thanks that His presence is within our home. So I suppose I bear you my testimony of my faith that prayer is an important instrument, not only in every area of life, but it can be applied to particular areas, in this case marriage. Also, the occurence of having these realization moments of "oh thats what God meant..." has increased. It still is a foreign idea to me that the more and more study of these things you do the faster and faster answers come and the stronger the Spirit gets within you. The best part for me is seeing my husband change right before my eyes. From rough and tumble to God loving...it makes my heart leap every time I think about it! Night time is perhaps my favorite time of day just for the sheer fact that together as a couple we are doing something pleasing to our Father! (And yes, Sundays do take precedence as the favorite day of the week... )So dear women, I implore you to make the effort to pray with your husbands!! The benefits you will reap by sowing the seeds of the Lord in your heart, home and marriage are boundless! Not only will your piety be noticed by HIM, you are also providing a great example for your husband and your children. “Let us encourage one another —and all the more as you see the day approaching” (Hebrews 10:25) Some principles that Im currently working on: .

• Accept one another. (Romans 15:7).
• Care for one another. (1 Corinthians 12:25).
• Carry each other’s burdens. (Galatians 6:2).
• Forgive one another. (Ephesians 4:32).
• Encourage, build up one another. (1 Thessalonians 5:11).
• Spur one another on to love and good deeds. (Hebrews 10:24).
• Confess your sins to one another. (James 5:16).
• Pray for one another. (James 5:16

Healthy 2008

Praise the Lord this year, I resolve to not go on a diet. Instead I am going to get in the best shape ever and that means my health too! This year, especially this past winter has been a hard and scary one for me in the sick-category. The scary part was that it jsut wasnt your regular cold/flu stuff. It really made me think how I am treating my body and what I am putting in it. (Food wise, not illegal substances)I just recently found out I have a wheat, gluten and corn intolerance. It led me to do some research on the Word of Wisdom and also become a self-proclaimed dietitian & nutritionist. So far I have stuck to a regular exercise routine and have cut out all refined and white sugars, breads and corns. I have switched to tons of veggies and protien. Grains just dont jive very well with my stomach. I bring my food to work and eat throughout the day and turn down offers to go out to lunch with my co-workers. It has only been one week, but in that little amount of time I feel almost like a new person. I feel amazing, the bags and dark circles under my eyes have lifted and I actually am able to sleep for once. NOt to mention I have energy and dont feel like taking naps, AND I lost 5 pounds in 2 days! And Ive noticed, my posture is better and so is my self confidence and esteem. There may be something to all this...Im usually pretty good about staying motivated when it means alot to me, and my health is extremely important! Prayer, I think is the best motivator at all. God knows our dreams and our goals and if they will contribute to a healthy, more rich Spiritual life, then I believe that he is definatly behind you! When weakness hits, pray for strength and ask Him to constantly remind us of why we began the goal in the first place. Even though I love this exercising thing and eating right, my weakness for lazyness and chocolate sometimes creep in right in the middle of the work out! Trying to shut out that little voice in my head telling me Im either too tired or Im close enough to a mile, just quit now is amazingly hard. So I have to do my best to ask Heavenly Father while running to please drive my temptation out of me that I might finish my mile, and go directly to my spinach salad and not to the candy dish. It works and I am forever greatful for that blessing. Praise be to the Savior for giving His strength to me and to all of us! He wants us to suceed in everythign that glorifys Him, and treating your body like the God-given temple it is is to say "Thank You dear Father, for giving me my health and a vessel in which to house my soul. I wish to honor this greatest of gifts in thy name." So take care of yourself, if not for yourself, do it for Him. Amen.