a simple inspiration

work and wonder

The new study guide from TheSmallSeed was just released, and after looking at it, I can't wait to study and read the words.  I always love a place to start my study.  I have found that reading chronologically is not as effective as a theme or topic study for me.  I have also found that I never end up where the author leads. The Spirit always takes me where I need to go. 

The last couple of years I have seen an increase in quality religious workbooks and products on the market.  Perhaps they have always been there, and I am just starting to notice more.  One such company, Work & Wonder is brand new and just released a General Conference edition workbook for the April session.

I adore that Robert & Stella is the featured artist and it makes me excited to see who will be featured in October.  The classic design and neutral pallet were lovely.  Lots of white space is a big deal for me. There is a page for each speaker and then a back section that follows the Come, Follow Me curriculum.  I am currently serving in the primary, but it will be nice to have a section to follow along. 

I had great intentions of writing my thoughts and impressions with each speaker, but as usual, I got sidetracked with the children their needs, and the normal happenings of our home.  I decided I would save the talk pages for later when I study each talk.  So I chose to use the flower pages for thoughts and impressions that I had during the sessions. 

One thing I found that I loved was the idea of having it all the conference thoughts and in one place again that I can pull out and reference.  I have found that consolidating all my different journals into one is convenient for the moment, but more challenging when trying to retrieve information. 

I will also treasure the small little additions Loaf made in the workbook. It started out with some simple doodles after she saw my bunny, but then we started a little conversation that sometimes happens during church. Her responses are priceless.  For example, when I asked if she loved Jesus, she was emphatic with all the exclamation points.  And then the next sentence when I told her that Emma gets to talk to people about Jesus on her mission, Loaf responded, "No fare" ( i.e., fair: because she is still learning to spell).  This simple note conversation will make this a treasure of years to come.  

I appreciated a place to write my testimony after the conference was over.  Expressing your testimony, no matter the format is always a good idea and more certainly a blessing for me. 

I would like to give away a workbook to one of you. This is not a sponsored giveaway. I loved the product and wanted to share.  If you would like a chance to win, please leave a comment below sharing your favorite talk (which is nearly impossible for me to express) or a favorite conference tradition. I will post the winner here on Monday, April 9. 

I've decided to add the winner's names to the bottom of the giveaway posts to help me keep track of where everything is. I am also hoping to have more giveaways throughout the year.  I love sharing. 

golden repair

the remaining 2 Japanese bowls from the set, all the others have been broken and discarded

I have been thinking a great deal about obedience and the refinement that comes as we submit our will to God's.  Often I hear that obedience takes away our ability to be enlightened and make our own choices. We lose freedom as we obey, but I have found the opposite to be true.  

This scripture caused me to reflect, but not in the way I anticipated. 

"But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.” (Job 23:10)

It immediately made me think about what I know about the refining process of gold and how through extreme heat, like fire, the gold is melted down and the dross (impurities) are removed.  As I was looking up the specifics google suggested this article:  Earthquakes make gold veins in an instant.  The article talks about how nature can produce veins of gold through the cracks of shifting earth after an earthquake (which in and of itself is a process of strain and stress)

 

Kintsukuroi, which means “golden repair”, is a centuries-old Japanese art of fixing broken pottery with gold. You can read more in this interesting article.  I have always been fascinated by this beautiful art form. I adore and appreciate the fact that the original bowl is not discarded.  It's still valuable, so much so that it is repaired with gold.

 

 

I think there is something to these examples of repair and refining. It takes something imperfect, failing, and creates something beautiful and of great value.  I love the end result of these bowls. I love the that their blemishes are made beautiful.

 

This is how I view each of us.  As you look at the different bowls no two is alike.  They are each beautiful in their own way. God did not make us alike.  We each have our own unique physical and spiritual characteristics.  Like these bowels, we are each broken.  You and me, all of us, are broken in some way and can only be healed through Jesus Christ. 

 

Isaiah tells us as broken people to unify (Isaiah 8:9)  David asks us to come to God with our broken hearts and spirits (Psalm 51:17)  Of course, his description of being a "broken vessel" (Psalm 31:12) fits perfectly with these illustrations. As I reread the words of Jeffery Holland in "Broken Things to Mend" I can't help but look at what that mending through Jesus Christ looks like and I keep thinking back to the golden repair.

 

I know in my own life those places that are now healed are sacred because of the journey that led me to Jesus. I'd like to think that my own spirit has these beautiful veins of gold, the repairs that make me whole once again.  The repairs that make me more beautiful than who I was to begin with.  We are “graven upon the palms of [His] hands.” (1 Nephi 21:16)  because the process of refining and atoning for us comes at great cost.  I am glory in gratitude of Him, that despite my insignificance He still loves me.  A cost that I hope my children will come to treasure.  He is my all.

 

celebrating Easter (giveaway #3)

I was recently stopped at the grocery store by the daughter of a friend who was so kind and thoughtful, thanking me for something I had done.  It was a random encounter with a stranger that has happened before and leaves me feeling a bit sheepish yet loved.  I am so awkward during those kinds of exchanges because I am just a regular kind of woman.

I associate with women far superior to me on a daily basis, including this beautiful woman at the grocery store.

They are seemingly ordinary women, my neighbors, friends, and family members. You know the kind, at least I hope you do.  They serve without being asked. They find a need and fill it.  They love when it feels impossible to love.  They do really hard things but when asked reply, "it was nothing."  These are the women that make the world go around.  These are the kind of women that create change, perhaps not in huge flashy ways that the world honors, but in the fundamentally powerful ways that are the core of humanity. 

I'm talking about the women in our lives that go unheralded.  From day to day they get things done never realizing the impact they are having on the people around them, on me.  Quite often I hear them say there is nothing special about themselves, but the reality is they are women that should be receiving the highest honors. 

As I thought about the photo I could include in this post and scrolled through the many photos in our library I found that I couldn't choose just one. I wished I had a photo like this one with each of the women I love all together in one spot. 

 

So today I honor those women in my life to build me up. You might not even know the influence you have on me, but you have. My life would be very different without you, the unsung heroes.  I think you are the kind of woman that Linda K. Burton (on a side note: I use her full name as a sign for respect, but I would love to just call her Linda because isn't she a friend. Also, it would drive me nuts if people always addressed me by my full name.) was talking about when she said, " I have read and passed over the seemingly unremarkable expression “certain women” numerous times before, but recently as I pondered more carefully, those words seemed to jump off the page. Consider these synonyms of one meaning of the word certain as connected to faithful, certain women:“convinced,” “positive,” “confident,” “firm,” “definite,” “assured,” and “dependable.”⁴ ("Certain Women," General Conference, April 2017.)

I am so thankful for the way you inspire me.  You know who you are. I hope you know how much you mean to me.  Even if we don't really know each other in real life, an email, a comment, a grocery store conversation bless my life.  We are all in this together. Our trials and our triumphs; our weaknesses and our strengths all help us walk along this path towards our Savior.  It is through Him that we find true peace.

Full disclosure: Deseret Book sent me a book to review and because I'm celebrating Easter with another giveaway I went bought two more to give to you.  If you would like a chance to win one of the books leave a comment sharing your favorite woman in the scriptures. I will announce the winners on Monday, April 2, 2018.  

Watercolor on the moleskine cahier was a little weak.  I couldn't find a gold pen so I broke out the glitter and a glue pen. I forgot what a mess the glittler makes. I've been sparkly all day long.

learning: a reality

I often get asked how I study my scriptures. I have written bits and pieces here on the blog over the years; I even created a category: scriptures (journals and more). Lately, as I have been thinking about what scripture study should look like in my life, I have found that it looks very different than my perception.  I have this idea that "line upon line" looks like a list that I check off or achieve.  Remember I love lists.  I see order.  There are things that I can do to get a certain result.  

Yet that is not my reality, the result is the same, but how I got there is different. Does that make sense?

I don't find great spiritual insight reading cover to cover, my daughter does, and it's amazing to me.  I seem to flit from here to there and there to here, often with no rhyme or reason. Sometimes it takes several days to understand what God is trying to tell me and other times, most times if I'm honest it takes years.

The last few weeks I have seen things fall into place that are 15 years, 25 years in the process. I understand the why and how that was so elusive to me before all those years ago.  Peace and understanding in a new profound way fill my heart. All along the way, I was feeling peace and learning, but it's as if my world shifted slightly and my perspective and view opened new comprehension and awareness. 

I love the way God teaches!

So I quickly created this little page to help me remember and then the Lord reminded me of something I read.  I always know when He is trying to help me pay attention because first I remember and second I find that He confirms what I have learned.  It's just one of the ways I know that God is aware and listens.

"My ideas of studying may seem sequential and linear.  First, you pray; the, you read, and so on.  And of course, there is a beginning point, but in reality, it's not quite that orderly.  In fact, as you dive deeper and deeper, it all runs together in messy ways. You keep praying. You go down this road, then that, as you look at the historical records.  You think of scriptures, you think of more questions, your everyday life pops up, the things you already know to be true deepen into a new understanding, you read a current conference talk or hear a lesson and fit new pieces into the puzzle, and on and on.  'Line upon line' sounds too tidy, but learning to me always feels more like 'a little right here and a little way over there,' a flash here and a stupor there."  (Virginia H. Pearce, "The Beginning of Better Days: Divine Instruction to Women from the prophet Joseph Smith," Deseret Book, 2012)

No matter where you are, start.

God wants to talk to you.

No matter what questions have been left unanswered, don't give up.

God wants to talk to you.

You don't have to be the same religion as me, start.  

God wants to talk to you.  

The scriptures are where answers will come.  I can't wait to learn more and get into the scriptures again.  Want to join me?

take time to be holy

The last few months I have downloaded that worked with the study guides from The Small Seed.  I don't always finish them each month, in fact I think only once, but that is okay. I'm in the scriptures and I'm thinking about Christ.  That the the key.  

Well this month's guide is once again beautiful and inspiring.  I appreciate the thoughtful questions and the time and effort the team puts into making these guides every month.  I have been able to get to know a few of the team and they are amazing women who are so humble and filled with the desire to serve.  They don't like the recognition and I loved having to search for this page of bios, or links: Small Seed Editorial team. I can't find a link to the others. I know there are more. You are not forgotten.

This is a remarkable group of ordinary women. I hope that doesn't offend anyone to say they are ordinary, but they are just like you and me.  Women who have families and struggles, triumphs and sorrows. They are walking side by side just trying to do the best they can. They are come together in the defense of Christ in their own quiet ways creating something beautiful and powerful.  It's been humbling to see the devotion and love they have not only for one another but the people that come to the site.  It's beautiful.

Today after a long week away from home and my routine it was so nice to sit and quietly focus on Jesus.  It wasn't as if I didn't read and study while I was at RootsTech, but it was rushed and haphazard.  It was wonderful and I felt the spirit, but it was not the same as my study time here at home. 

I often get asked how I study and this weekend I had to stop again and think about how exactly it is I study the scriptures.  One woman talked about how she goes through the scriptures from cover to cover like a story and finds studying by topics challenging.  Another woman is chronological with a few topic twists and turns along with way.  I on the other hand, although I have gone cover to cover, find that topic study my favorite.  Although I have to admit that I get off topic from the topic very easily, so really I have no idea idea what kind of study my study would be classified under. This also explains why I don't finish the study guides.

One thing I loved was passion that these women had for the scriptures as we talked. I love the scriptures and have found myself being drawn to share more here. I don't know what else I can say as the way I study is about the same.  But whatever the reason I will try and share more. If you have any questions or things you want to see just let me know. 

 

Because of a bedbug issue, all of my journals and such are currently in the freezer (they will be there for a couple of weeks). Thankfully I had a Moleskine cahier that I pulled out of the drawer and printed off the study guide.  I printed it at about 90% because the notebook is just slightly smaller than an 8.5"x 11".  I trimmed and glued it in.  I forgot why I had switched to label paper for this as the paper is buckling in the middle where I didn't add glue, but it's done and I'm have no desire to redo it.  Also as you can see my printer is not great with full color pages.  it drives me nuts and the printer has been replaced once by the manufacturer.  If you have any printer suggestions I am open to anything once this one officially dies, but for now I will enjoy the unplanned stripes.

There is something therapeutic for me to doodle and listen to a conference talk.  I can't explain it, but it slows my mind down in a way that is so very essential.  My mind is never quiet. There is always something I'm working through, many somethings and schedules and more.  It's a constantly flow of this and that, but when I draw and listen the rest is put on hold and quiets.  I listened to "The Beauty of Holiness" by Carol McConkie and "Take Time to be Holy" by the Tab choir. The lyrics are beautiful.

I don't know where my study will lead me this week or month, but I am excited to spend more time with the Lord. I hope to become holy. 

something's coming

Do you ever get that feeling that something is coming, but you don't know what or when?  The feeling to prepare and get things in order because just around the bend there is something that God needs you to do.

I've been feeling that way lately. 

I know the immediate things that are happening in the next few weeks: Emma leaves on her mission, then RootsTech and Light Keepers, and then my wrist gets repaired.  Then we move into spring break, and finals bring the end of school. The summer is a busy mix of comings and goings before school starts again. I know and am planning those things. Our lives are always changing; change is the constant.

But this feels different.  I've had similar feelings in the past, but usually when we would have a new child.  We are out of that phase of life, so I'm excited to see where these promptings will lead.  I'm not sure where this quote fits in, but it's something that has resonated with me the past couple of weeks.

"There came a movement of bold and courageous men and women who looked heavenward in acknowledgment of God and His divine Son."  (Gordon B. Hinckley, "The Dawn of a Brighter Day," General Conference, May 2005)

In this talk, President Hinckley was talking about the people during the time of the Reformation, but I feel like it's happening again.  Perhaps in every era when conflict, hatred, and darkness abound there are people who boldly stand up for Christ and testify.

I don't know what is coming and perhaps it's nothing.  Perhaps these feelings are all about getting into the scriptures more and listening.  If that is the only reason it's worth it. 

finding my purpose through Christ (free download)

TheSmallSeed has a lovely new study guide for February (you can download it here). I knew I would be looking it over just from the title and the questions did not disappoint.  I wanted to include it in my scripture journal, so I ask permission and manipulated the download and shared it with you here. 

Download TSS-SG-Feb-2018_0 pdf

All I did was make space to write, so it's a few pages longer.  You will need both to use the study guide, but I thought I would walk you through my current study process.  I use my computer and phone constantly when I study.  I love my paper scriptures, but the convenience of using technology is one I take full advantage of.  With the study guide open on the computer, I can click the links provided in the study guide to the scriptures and talks.  It's such a great feature, and I appreciate the time and effort that goes into the study guide.

However, I find that I prefer to journal, especially my scripture journal by hand.  It slows my brain and allows me to hear the Spirit as I am more quiet.  Now I know this won't work for everyone, so record the things you learn and impressions in whatever way helps you.

I printed the study guide I altered two pages per shipping label and am adding the pages in as I work.  Normally I would add them all in at once, but I am leaving a little more room for writing as I am already off on a tangent and I know I will need more. I also didn't add them in order; I'm okay with that as well.  Work at your own pace and just enjoy the process.  

The Moleskine I use is about 8" x 4".  This allows me to use half sheets of paper which I like to add additional text or scriptures and insert into my journal.  I probably should have added this to my bigger full-size scripture journal, but I love the compact size of this smaller version.  I have liked using a date stamp at the end of every study session just to keep track of where and when I am studying as I tend to skip around in my journal.

It's the same old process I have been doing for a while now, but if you have any more questions, please let me know. 

SUPPLIES (these are not affiliate links, just trying to be helpful)

Moleskine  notebook

Uniball Signo RT1 pen 

Shipping labels (full sheet)

Koi brush pen (cool gray)

Staedtler triplus fineliner

You can see another example using a study guide from TheSmallSeed here: renew and review.

renew and review: the small seed study guide

At the beginning of the month, I saw this post and study guide download over at The Small Seed and once again I thought how lovely it all was, but knew realistically with all that I was studying and wanted to study I would never get around to using it no matter how lovely it was. Then on the 19th of the month, I woke up that morning and felt prompted to print off the study guide and go. "The month was nearly over," I replied. "I won't finish it and it will just be one more thing left undone," I whined.  Yet the feeling was clear so I downloaded, printed (on shipping label paper), and adhered the pages to the Moleskine cashier notebook I have been filling up.

I know better than to make a plan when it comes to scripture study and God.  I make big goals and He has other ideas about what and where He wants me to reflect.  As I doodled the vines on the pages and listened to one of the suggested talks I learned things that only the Spirit can teach.  A simple phrase led to unexpected study and peace. Could I have been led there another way? Sure, but God chose this path and I am so thankful I listened.

I have vacillated in sharing these pages, not because I have anything to hide. I was conscious that I might share so I was careful in what I shared and much of the sacred things I wrote in my journal.  However, this is still an accurate record of my feelings and thoughts.  I am all over the place. I'm self-deprecating and hard on myself in one line and then strong and hopeful in another.  I'm am all over the place writing one day here and another day there, but it works for me and this is who I am. 

All that being said, sharing this post is taking a great deal of courage and I'm not sure why.  Once again I feel that I should so I am, but my heart is tender and tears are streaming down my face as I type these words.  Perhaps it's the vulnerable feelings that are so close to the surface, perhaps it's because I haven't blogged in a while and am out of practice being brave.  Whatever the reason for these feelings please know that I hope by sharing these you will spend a little more time with God today.  It is an exercise and experience you won't regret.  I never do. 

TheSmallSeed announced over on Instagram that next month's study guide is "Finding my purpose in Christ" It looks like it will be a great one, how can you go wrong focused on Christ. 

Because many of you have asked to see what my journals look like I made a small video for Instagram stories. It's terribly unprofessional, but it gives you an idea of what it looks like all together. I'm happy to answer any questions so don't hesitate to ask.  

SUPPLIES (these are not affiliate links, just trying to be helpful)

Moleskine cashier 

Uniball Signo RT1 pen 

Koi watercolor travel kit

Shipping labels (full sheet)

Koi brush pen (cool gray)

#LightTheWorld journal and labels: free download

I have known about and had the assets for a while to make something for the #lighttheworld Christmas initiative, and in the end, I decided I wasn't going to do anything this year.  So many talented people create lovely and inspiring things to download and do to help make things easier.  I just didn't feel like I needed to or had anything to add.  Then Monday night I was talking to John about something completely unrelated, and suddenly the Spirit whispered (very loudly because sometimes I am hard of hearing), and I saw in my mind this download.  So Tuesday morning I started working, and I sent an email requesting and receiving permission to alter the content into a journal form.  This project came together faster than anything I have done in a very long time, such that I was able to create the content, print it off and study. 

Time for study is always heavenly.

So once again I say, anything that is good that comes from me I acknowledge God's hand and divine intervention. I am nothing without Him.

The download is straightforward. 

I wanted something that you could just print, cut (if desired), and go.  There is too much going on this time of year for anything complicated, and I enjoyed the reflective questions and knew I wanted to write as well as act and perhaps even write about the different ways we decide to serve.

I just took the materials provided, created the daily entries, added two per page and printed.  You can even fold into a book. However, I will warn you that the download isn't in a book format so you won't be able to print front to back and have the days be in order. 

I wanted something that was versatile for as much or as little embellishing as possible. I also wanted to leave plenty of room for writing, and as you will see there is not enough, and that is okay.  I love adding inserts and post it notes along the way.

You will notice, and if you don't I'm pointing it out, my printer is once again running out of ink, and I was in such a rush I didn't pay attention until everything was printed and I wasn't going to fix it. So my light the world is probably more pink than red, and there is a darker streak on the left-hand side. Rather than getting frustrated I just said, "Oh well" and started cutting the pages in half. 

I knew I was going to continue in my smaller Moleskine notebook  (5 x 8.25) so I reduced the pages to 95%.  If you are going to use a Leuchtturm1917, you can just print and cut. I love that feature, but I had a Moleskine, so I used what I had on hand.  I always go with a softcover because I know it will accommodate all the extra paper I add to the journal. Both bindings hold up beautifully to the abuse I give them. 

I also created four pages of labels; one is not pictured in the photos because it was a late edition. Labels are my favorite accessory.

I printed everything on inexpensive full sheet shipping labels, like these on this link.  I'm not overly concerned about them being archival. I have photos of most of my pages, and I will probably scan things, so my scripture journals are more for me than anyone else. 

As always I didn't have enough room, so I added a page using washi tape on the outside edge.  I ran out of time this morning, so I didn't finish day one, but that is the beautiful thing about studying.  Some days you have an hour to devote to the scriptures, and other days there might only be 10 minutes here and 10 minutes there. No matter how long I have to give the Lord seems to bless me tenfold. It's such a blessing.

Another reason I moved to a smaller journal is that it's a little easier to throw in my bag and it doesn't weigh as much.  

If you could describe my style, it would be messy and chaotic.  I don't worry about staying in the lines.  In fact, one of the reasons I have multiple lines is because I always mess up.  I get bumped, or I'm just careless, and the pen goes crazily off course.  I've learned to embrace the mess and just move on. 

I also don't have enough emotional energy when I study to do big fancy things. I typically only have two pens, a ballpoint pen (Uniball Signo 207 or Uniball Signo RT1 0.28) and a gray brush pen for shading (currently using a Koi cool gray from this set). That being said, I know you will look at this and think it's big and fancy.  Remember to do whatever feels right for you.  The journal is only secondary to the scriptures.  Get into the scriptures and see what God wants to teach you. 

After cutting out a sheet of the labels and penning around them in my journal, I got smart and outlined the labels before I cut them out.  You certainly don't have to outline anything. I just like the way it looks.  

Also, can you see the super lame washi job I did on page one (see below)?  I'm classy that way.

Now I know it's not December 1st yet, but I wanted to start and give you an idea of what I do when I study.  There is no rhyme or reason to how I study or format a page.  I love my stick people (see this post), and I always have arrows: big, small, thin, fat, arrows are essential. 

As for my studying, I try to stay in the scriptures as much as possible. I do enjoy another person's views or the way they understand a passage of scripture, but if the Spirit can teach me that is preferred. I love using the cross-referencing system that is in the scriptures.  I learn in ways I didn't anticipate and in ways that are hard to describe. 

Scripture Citation Index I love this resource and use it all the time.  I have the app on my phone as well.  I look up the scripture reference and then it brings up a list of conference talk in which the scripture was mentioned.  So thankful for this resource and it has significantly enriched my studying.  

I'm sure I've forgotten something, so please ask.  I hope you will feel Christ's light and share it with others this holiday season and always.

Download Akimball_lighttheworld_2017 (journal pdf)

 

Download Akimball_lighttheworld_labels_2017 (labels pdf)

worth the wrestle

When I took this photo I shared on Instagram, "As I stare at the screen today trying to listen to know where to go next, what to say and do, I think of my grandmothers and how much they would have loved what I was doing. I feel them close, lending strength. I am the sum of strong, courageous people who loved the Lord.  Their sacrifice is not lost on me. I hope they will be proud of the woman I am becoming and the way in which I am trying to honor them."

I just finished a wrestle. 

I’ve been working on a project that is bigger than me.  It pushed my knowledge. It required sacrifice not only from me but my family (who have been so supportive). At times it has required great faith as things have gone wrong and opposition has been strong.  But the thing that surprised me about this project was how much God wanted me to wrestle and in the process how much I learned and grew.

As I reflect on all that happened with this project, (which I am excited to share with you soon, I hope and why I haven't posted much here lately), I once again find that the Lord prepared me for what was to come.  Over and over again I see a pattern in how the Lord teaches me, always here a little, there a little in ways I don't always anticipate.

One of those ways was this talk by Sheri Dew titled "Will You Engage in the Wrestle?"

I don't remember how I found it, I rarely listen to things when they first come out usually because I'm studying something else, but I know the Lord's hand brought it to me that day.  As I look back over my notes what Sheri taught was not new, they were principles I already knew, but for some reason, I was prepared to understand and learn her message in a way that penetrated my heart.  

Now if you are one of my children reading this, yes I used the word penetrate and I know how much you dislike that word, but none of the other words in the thesaurus seemed quite right. I did try, just for you. 

As I started to read and record the thoughts and feeling of my heart in my scripture journal I found that I had too many many quotes from the talk I wanted to include and reference as I studied.  So I printed it off and added it to my journal as I studied. I also ran out of room so post it notes and other small pieces of paper were added.  I did not know that this would be the beginning of a beautiful journey for study time. (I did write a little bit about my process here: scripture journal: today)

I'm not sure why I have felt strongly to share this today, perhaps there is someone who will be inspired by the scripture journal process, which I give all credit to the Lord.  Or perhaps there is someone who is ready to learn from words in Sheri's talk or it might all just be that I need to acknowledge God's hand in my learning process.  Whatever the reason, I love the spiritual wrestle and this past year has given me plenty of opportunities to understand more acutely what Enos was referring to in Enos 1:2.

I have a new appreciation for wrestling since Rock started the sport this year.  As I watch him and his teammates learn techniques, become stronger through conditioning, and overcome the mental obstacles in their matches I also learned that limits are pushed, endurance is taxed, and just when you can't give anything else you must dig deep into your reservoir and wrestle a little longer.

The same is true with spiritual wrestling. Sometimes God gives us the easy answer, right?  Sometimes it is almost effortless, but often we must learn new principles, build endurance as we practice what we have learned, and then there is the anguish that often comes through trials or questions that are not yet answered.  Our limits are reached and yet we still have to find a little more faith to wrestle a little longer.

Sheri said, "Champion wrestlers tell me that it isn't necessarily the strongest wrestler who wins. It is the wrestler who knows how to leverage his strength to overpower his opponent. Spiritual wrestling leverages the strength of true doctrine to overpower our weaknesses, our wavering faith, and our lack of knowledge. Spiritual wrestlers are seekers. They are men and women of faith who want to understand more than they presently do and who are serious about increasing the light and knowledge in their lives." 

I have loved studying this talk.  I love studying the words of wise people and their testimonies of our Savior, Jesus Christ.  I feel like Sheri's words have become part of me as this is what my recent wrestle as done for me.  It changed me physically and spiritually. My love for the Savior increased and my understanding of the gospel grew in ways that will bless lives.  I am so profoundly thankful for the reminder of God's love for me, for all of us.  How I love the gospel of Christ!

 

There is so much in life that I have no control over, so much heartache, loss, a pain that I wish I could ease. There are so many with questions and struggles that I can't solve, but perhaps I might help brighten someone with a small give away.  

I loved Sheri's words and have shared her talk in book form with several of my friends. I would like to also share 3 copies with you. So if you would like to receive a copy of "Worth the Wrestle" please leave a comment below sharing one way you feel God's love for you. 

The winners will be chosen and announced next week on Wednesday, September 6, 2017.

 

On a side note, I do not personally know Sheri and I should probably address her more formally by "Sister Dew", but after my study and wrestle this past year I feel like we are friends and I always call my friends by their first name.