Teaching Primary and Such

I was called to serve in the Primary a couple of months ago. I must admit I wasn't very excited about my calling. I knew, though, that if I was to do what the Lord wanted me to do that I would need to change my attitude. Today, as I was looking at the back of my daughter's Friend magazine, I realized that there were some helps for dealing with children in primary. You can find these same helps by following this link:

http://lds.org/pa/display/0,17884,5812-1,00.html

I did the lessons in loving and understanding the children today. While watching these lessons it reminded me of my time on my mission. I realized that on my mission I was constantly praying for and thinking about those I was teaching. I worried about them and wondered how I could teach them the doctrines of the gospel. I realized that I haven't even been thinking about the children I teach during the week. Instead, I wake up Sunday morning, hurry and plan my lesson, and go off to church, hoping they will listen to my lesson. I need to be better. I need to take the time to read my lesson the week ahead. Then, I need to think about how I can teach the lesson to MY class, thinking of their personalities and knowldege of the gospel.

So, after taking those little mini classes, I then went on to read my lesson for next week. I actually took the time to look up the scriptures and read them. Usually I just look at the lesson manual and ignore the scriptures until I get to class and then I have the children read them (great example, huh?!!)

Anyways, my lesson next week is on how the first pioneers paved the way to the Salt Lake Valley. I was reading in Doctrine & Covenants 136 where it talks about the organizing of the Saints to move West. I loved the whole reading! I think my favorite verse, though, was 29: "If thou art sorrowful, call on the Lord thy God with supplication, that your souls may be joyful." I loved this verse because I often find myself having little pity parties. But, I know that if I turn to the Lord in prayer that my sorrow can be replaced with joy.

I am so glad I actually took the time to read the scriptures for my lesson today. I needed to know what they taught before I had my children read them aloud.

Keep on Reading

I've been visiting my parents this week, so it's been a little difficult to keep up my reading schedule. Today I was able to sit and read in the Book of Mormon for quite a while. It was refreshing. I think my favorite verse, or part of a verse, was 2 Nephi 9:51. Jacob is talking to the Nephites and he tells them that they should "feast upon that which perisheth not, neither can be corrupted, and let your soul delight in fatness." I LOVE that it tells us that our souls should delight in fatness. Bring on the Cake!! :) What I really like about this verse is that it tells us we should feast on the scriptures and on the word of God until we are FaT, not just until we are filled. I need to just be devouring the word of God like I consumed all sorts of fattening things when I was pregnant. And, as I eat myself into scripture heaven, I should delight in it. It just gives me a whole different perspective on scripture study. I shouldn't dread it, I should delight in it. And, I shouldn't stop after I've received the one spiritual prompting for the day, I should just keep on reading until I am truely delighting in the fatness of the Spirit.

Reading of the Book of Mormon

I set a goal last week to finish the Book of Mormon by the end of the year. I have noticed that I have been struggling lately with feeling the Spirit and realized I haven't been as diligent with scripture study. So, I am trying to be a little more diligent. I figured that if I read in the Book of Mormon and posted my impressions here, then it would help me work harder and hopefully achieve my goal. So, here goes...

This week I have been trying to read 8 pages a day. For those of you who are mothers of young children, you can appreciate how difficult this can be at times. I've found that for me, the best thing to do is to read early in the morning and try to finish before my daughters wake up.

Today I was reading in 2 Nephi chapters 1-4. I have loved 2 Nephi 4 for many years. I love it because it is the only time you hear Nephi really speak of his difficulties. Yet, even in writing of his weaknesses, he makes it a point to then say in verse 19, "Nevertheless, I know in whom I have trusted." Nephi then goes on to speak of the many blessings he received at the Lord's hand

This chapter reminds me of the need to focus on all my Father has given me. Like Nephi, I too have struggled with different things. My life is not always easy. But, like Nephi I also have experienced a lot of blessings. I am blessed with a wonderful husband and two beautiful girls. I have the privilege of staying home and raising these girls. I get to see them grow and change. My husband has a job during these difficult economic times and we have money to pay for all our needs. I could just keep going, naming all the blessings the Lord has seen fit to give me. I think I'll end, though, remembering that despite all my hard times, I know that the Lord is there to help and guide me.