Still Learning

In area meeting on Monday, Eric read a section from the BYU magazine just as a good thought to keep in mind because we had extra time. It was by Mitt Romney. Someone told him in order to figure out what his core values were he needed to list five people he most admired and respected and then write five attributes we thought of when we thought of these people. Here are mine:

1. My mom and dad- family, devotion, loving, honest, Christlike

2. Brother Smith- service, funny,caring, Christlike, devotion

3. Sister Bergquist- family, happy, devotion, service, loving

4. Sister Dalton- family, devotion, Christlike, happy, service

5. Jesus- service, loving, integrity, devotion, pure

The top four things I listed were family, devotion, loving, and service. Those four things I listed the most are my core values. In the article it says if we continue to live in a way that is consistent with these core values we will be happy and fulfilled.  I was very surprised when the next quote was read. "... with these at our center, chance does not come into play in determining our success or failure. The ability to live with integrity with the core of our values of love, family, service, and devotion is entirely up to us. Fundamentally, this is the business of successful living." 

While waiting for devotional to start yesterday, someone was singing a song about Friday  It made me laugh. I only know a little bit of it, but here it is: Monday's a bummer, Tuesday's only fair, Wednesday's getting better, Thursday's almost there, but Friday... Friday is my favorite day. 

Every week I go to devotional not because I have to but because I love it. I am spiritually uplifted every week I make the effort to listen to what is being said. Yesterday's devotional was on living your life with a purpose. The speaker hit several points that I needed to hear.

-Sometimes we get distracted from the aspirations our Heavenly Father has in mind for us, but it is our job to work back up to them. 

-Sometimes we need to let go of something good for something better. 

-We should not be deterred from challenges big or small and enjoy the beauty all around us. 

-All we have to do is keep trusting in our Heavenly Father and his plans/timing. 

-All answers to prayers do not come when we ask for them, but we are always heard and never alone. 

-True friends treat you like a campsite and leave you better than they found you. 

-Challenges of each day do not always fade with the sunset. 

She also talked about Survival Mode. She said this was the time she just told herself she had to keep going. At the BYU/SA retreat they talked about how sometimes you have to just say to yourself "I can do anything for [insert amount of time here]." In an eternal perspective, whatever is going on at the time is but a small moment. The speaker talked about survival mode and how sometimes when you are in it opportunities pass you by and relationships wane. You miss out on things because you are so focused on how much you have to do. We all get in that mode, but we need to remember that our Heavenly Father is always there for us. Psalms 27:14 says, "Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart..." I just have to continue to trust in the Lord and His timing.