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GIVE UP!
Give up complaining; focus on gratitude.
Give up harsh judgments; think kindly thoughts.
Give up discouragement; be full of hope.
Give up negativism; be positive.
Give up bitternesss; turn to forgiveness.
Give up anger; be more patient.
Give up pettiness; become mature.
Give up gloom; enjoy the beauty that is all around you.
Give up jealousy; pray for trust.
Give up giving up; hang in there.
M.O. (from an email received 3/14/11)
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Remember it is just regular people trying to do what is right that can make a big difference.
A.C. (from an email received 2/8/11)
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“Live so that those who don’t know God, come to know him through you.”
M.O. (from an email received 1/31/11)
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Of course we will still face trials and times in life where we are more down than others but as we turn our thoughts to Jesus Christ and his atoning sacrafice a change happens. We look at trials and things as an opportinity to help us grow. I know as we trust in Christ we are able to overcome every trial that we face in life. As we do so we will be able to be more happy. I also know that the more we forget ourselfs and help other people the more we will be happy and experience the love of God.
E.J.C. (from an email received 1/10/11)
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The mission can be Down. Or it can be Up. It all depends on how grateful you are.
E.N.B (from an email received on 1/4/11)
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I asked God to take away my habit.
God said, NO.
It is not for me to take away,
but for you to give it up.
I asked God to make my handicapped child whole.
God said, NO.
His spirit is whole, his body is only temporary.
I asked God to give me happiness...
God said, NO.
I give you blessings. Happiness is up to you.
I asked God to spare me pain.
God said, NO.
Suffering draws you apart from worldly cares and
brings you closer to me.
I asked God to make my spirit grow.
God said, NO.
You must grow on your own, but I will prune you
to make you fruitful.
I asked God for all things that I might enjoy life.
God said, NO.
I will give you life, so that you may enjoy all things.
I asked God to help me LOVE others, as much as
He loves me.
God said....AHHHH, you are now beginning to understand!!
M.O. (from an email received 11-29/10)
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"The adversity I’m going through right now is just the middle part in a very inspiring story!" ~Dr. Paul
Give up complaining; focus on gratitude.
Give up harsh judgments; think kindly thoughts.
Give up discouragement; be full of hope.
Give up negativism; be positive.
Give up bitternesss; turn to forgiveness.
Give up anger; be more patient.
Give up pettiness; become mature.
Give up gloom; enjoy the beauty that is all around you.
Give up jealousy; pray for trust.
Give up giving up; hang in there.
M.O. (from an email received 3/14/11)
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Remember it is just regular people trying to do what is right that can make a big difference.
A.C. (from an email received 2/8/11)
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“Live so that those who don’t know God, come to know him through you.”
M.O. (from an email received 1/31/11)
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Of course we will still face trials and times in life where we are more down than others but as we turn our thoughts to Jesus Christ and his atoning sacrafice a change happens. We look at trials and things as an opportinity to help us grow. I know as we trust in Christ we are able to overcome every trial that we face in life. As we do so we will be able to be more happy. I also know that the more we forget ourselfs and help other people the more we will be happy and experience the love of God.
E.J.C. (from an email received 1/10/11)
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The mission can be Down. Or it can be Up. It all depends on how grateful you are.
E.N.B (from an email received on 1/4/11)
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I asked God to take away my habit.
God said, NO.
It is not for me to take away,
but for you to give it up.
I asked God to make my handicapped child whole.
God said, NO.
His spirit is whole, his body is only temporary.
I asked God to give me happiness...
God said, NO.
I give you blessings. Happiness is up to you.
I asked God to spare me pain.
God said, NO.
Suffering draws you apart from worldly cares and
brings you closer to me.
I asked God to make my spirit grow.
God said, NO.
You must grow on your own, but I will prune you
to make you fruitful.
I asked God for all things that I might enjoy life.
God said, NO.
I will give you life, so that you may enjoy all things.
I asked God to help me LOVE others, as much as
He loves me.
God said....AHHHH, you are now beginning to understand!!
M.O. (from an email received 11-29/10)
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"The adversity I’m going through right now is just the middle part in a very inspiring story!" ~Dr. Paul
J.R. (from an email received 11/4/10)
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"The Best Vitamin for a Christian is B1."
M.O. (from an email received 10-28-10)
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"Once you choose hope, anything is possible." ~unknown
"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit" ~Romans 15:13
"For I know that plans I have for you," declares the Lord "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future." ~ Jeremiah 29:11
"Hope is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul.
And sings the tune
Without the words,
and never stops at all."
~Emily Dickinson (1830-1886)
(all the above quotes are from the Margaret's Hope Chest brochure that came with a beautiful hand made quilt from an anonymous donor/referrer on about 10-19-10)
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- Happy moments, praise God.
- Difficult moments, seek God.
- Quiet moments, worship God.
- Painful moments, trust God.
- Every moment, thank God.
M.O. (from an email received 10-12-10)
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I love this Gospel and the enabling power of the Atonement to truly change a person's very nature. I know, because it happened to me.
Ether 12:4 Wherefore, whoso believeth in God might with surety hope for a better world, yea, even a place at the right hand of God, which hope cometh of faith, maketh an anchor to the souls of men, which would make them sure and steadfast, always abounding in good works, being led to glorify God.
S.R. (from an email received 10-12-10)
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Mosiah 4:9 Believe in God; believe that he is, and that he created all things, that he has all wisdom, and all power, both in heaven and in earth; believe that man doth not comprehend all things which the Lord can comprehend.
S.R. (from an email received 9/15/10)
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“Don’t tell God how big your problem is, tell your problem how big your God is.”
M.O. (from an email received 9/7/10)
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"A child is God’s greatest gift to the family, to the nation, to the world. The child is a life from God, created in the image of God, created for great things, to love and to be loved." Mother Teresa
M.O. (from an email received 9/2/10)
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"To one who has faith, no explanation is necessary. To one without faith, no explanation is possible." ~St. Thomas Acquinas
M.O. (from an email received 8/26/10)
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God is wise beyond our ability to understand.
S.W. (from an email received 8/21/10)
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A PENCIL MAKER TOLD THE PENCIL 5 IMPORTANT LESSONS JUST BEFORE PUTTING IT IN THE BOX :
1) EVERYTHING YOU DO WILL ALWAYS LEAVE A MARK.
2) YOU CAN ALWAYS CORRECT THE MISTAKES YOU MAKE.
3) WHAT IS IMPORTANT IS WHAT IS INSIDE OF YOU.
4) IN LIFE, YOU WILL UNDERGO PAINFUL SHARPENINGS, WHICH WILL ONLY MAKE YOU BETTER.
5) TO BE THE BEST PENCIL, YOU MUST ALLOW YOURSELF TO BE HELD AND GUIDED BY THE HAND THAT HOLDS YOU.
M.O. (from an email received 8/16/10)
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As she watched the silver smith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities. The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot—then she thought again about the verse, that he sits as a refiner and purifier of silver.
She asked the silver smith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time the silver was being refined. The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time to was in the fire. If the silver was left even a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed. The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silver smith, “How do you know when the silver is fully refined?”
He smiled at her and answered, “Oh, that’s easy—when I see my image in it.”
P.B. (from an email received 8/12/10)
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I've been thinking a lot lately about how God is able to love all his children and address all our needs because there are just so many of us. Even though it's past our ability to comprehend, God really can and does love all of us with an infinate love. There is only one sun in the sky but it can range across the whole earth and shed it's warmth on every single human being. God's love is the same. Also, God works through others to share his love with his children and meet their needs and in turn we are touched. We are all messengers of God's love.
S.O. (from an email received 8/3/10)
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"Jesus Christ Is the Son of God, and He Is a God of Miracles."
K.H. (from an email received 8/3/10
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"The soul should always stand ajar, ready to welcome the ecstatic experience."
--Emily Dickinson
K.H. (from an email received 7/27/10)
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"As for now, I want to share my hope.
And my conviction.
I know we have a Father in Heaven who loves us.
Who knows each of us by name.
Who knows infinitesimally what we need at each and every moment.
He hears our prayers.
He answers them.
He has a plan that we do not always fully understand.
He has an army of angels, ready to fight on His behalf and spread His word,
both here and on the other side of the veil, between this life and the next."
K.H. (from an email received 7/13/10)
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But amidst all of the craziness and experiences, I know that you will make it. He knows you will make it. I made it and yes I am crazy (hehehe) but, I made it and I will continue to make it!!
I know he lives and loves us. I am so grateful He knows who I am and what my true feelings of my heart are.
A.M. (from an email received 7/6/10)
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LEARN TO WRITE
YOUR HURTS IN
THE SAND AND TO
CARVE YOUR
BENEFITS IN STONE.
M.O. (from an email received 7/1/10)
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Today's thought is from a scripture I read last night but have never really even noticed it before.
Matthew Chapter 4:16
The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up.
Jesus has just finished and conquered Satan's temptations and is literally in the first steps of His ministry, leaving Nazareth, walking through Capernaum and the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim.
Matthew comments on the effect just His presence (Him walking through their towns and villages) had on the people there. I think it applies to the people of the world as a whole as well. Because of Him, when we are in darkness, we see great light. Because of Him, when we sit in the region and shadow of death (physically, spiritually, etc) the light is sprung. I just envision His presence coming into a village, or in our case, Tali's sitting 'in the region and shadow of death', and His light springing up like the morning sun giving hope and life...in every way.
Such beautiful imagery as I thought about those few words and I wanted to share.
K.H. (from an email received 6/22/10)
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This morning I'm just so filled with love and joy!!! Struggles and challenges are AWSOME! It's so amazing to FEEL the Lord's love for us by allowing us to have difficult experiences that, when used wisely, bring us closer to Him.
And ... if we are faithful to Him, HE WILL consecrate ALL our afflictions for our good. What an AWSOME PROMISE! What an empowering feeling! What a great and sacred experience our afflictions become!!! Think how much greatness has come from afflictions!
S.R. (from an email received 6/14/10)
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"Meaningful lives don't happen by accident. They require conflict, risk, striving and overcoming. A good character in a book has to struggle and so it is with all of us." Don Miller.
This really struck a chord with me because every time I face a challenge or a lull in my life I always say to myself "It's just part of my story.
I have to experience the low to appreciate the high and make the story interesting."
M.M. (from an email received 6/10/10)
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In the Greek wedding ceremony there is a beautiful saying that translates to: When you commit to each other and become one, your sorrows are halved and your joys are doubled. I just love that and feel like that is the deepest meaning of marriage.
M.O. (from an email received 6/8/10)
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I had the words come into my mind "Let your heart rejoice." It was God reminding me to stop worrying so much and to LET (allow) myself to rejoice and be glad. I've thought about it a lot since then and am reminded that we make a conscious choice everyday about what to do with what life hands us. We can choose to rejoice.
S.O. (from an email received 6/7/10)
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The true way to soften one's troubles is to solace those of others.
S.B. (from an email received 6/3/10)
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I guess sometimes your biggest challenges and your biggest blessings come all at once. I think I am learning the importance of changing my attitude to a positive one despite what's going on and actively think about Christ during the day, using faith, hope and charity as an anectode to keep me going. Sometimes in life when we face unconcerting problems we get really stressed out when we can't seem to find out the reason or the answer. But I think I'm just beginning to understand that sometimes problems in life just don't have immediate solutions like we would hope them to. Some things we just have to push through and there's no way to make it go quicker or lessen the intensity. Sometimes God wants us to learn and grow. But he has given us powerful anecdotes to make it bearable. Our FAITH is trust in the Savior Jesus Christ. Trust in his promises and trust that if we are doing what's right he won't let anything overcome us. Our faith and trust in God, knowing his nature and his love, will keep fear from sneaking in amidst our trial. Second is HOPE. Our hope will tell us that, according to the pattern of God, as we press forward in faith and righteousness, despite what is happening to us or around us, the sun will come out eventually and "this too shall pass." We know God doesn't lie and we know that there is a blessing and peace to come after the storm. We keep our attention focused on that fact and our hope gives us comfort and strength to keep pressing through the current challenge. The third is CHARITY. When we are in the midst of our own scary trials and challenges it's easy to snap at others. Not because we purposely want to be mean, but we're just trying to keep ahold of things ourselves. As we actively exercise CHARITY and seek out opportunities to love and serve others, our charity towards others become as "healing balm" that fills us with the love of the Savior to comfort us.
S.O. (from an email received 6/2/10)
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[The writer is] referencing this past week’s Sunday School lesson ... where the teacher asked “What if you were asked to carry the ark across the Jordan River?”
“Having the certainty of failure fall into place in my personal theology allows for grace to become a part of my everyday life. Knowing that I will fail frees me up to act, to just walk forward--ineffectively perhaps. But, because I have moved, God can step in to close the gap between my intentful stumblings and His desires. Ultimately, the whole point of the Jordan River crossing is not that the ark get to the other side. He has wings of angels for that. The point is that I walk into the water. The ark is God's ark. The river is His river. If it matters to Him that the ark stay dry, He will take whatever measures He needs to make me--the imperfect vessel--capable to the task. If He doesn't care whether the ark is dry or wet, He'll keep me company, standing on His promise that "when thou passeth through the water, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee"(Isaiah 43:2) while I thrash around, flailing and failing my way to the other side. But I won't know that, I won't know that He does come to attend, until, hefting the weight of the wooden handles and feeling it settle into my shoulders, I step into the cold waters of my River Jordan."
K.H. (from an email received 6/1/10)
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Nevertheless, I did look unto my God, and I did praise Him all the day long; and I did not murmur against the Lord because of mine afflictions. (1 Nephi 18:16)
S.R. (from an email received 6/1/10)
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"We cannot adjust the wind in adverse situations. We can, however, adjust our sails."
J.W. (from an email received 5/24/10)
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“I am frequently grateful that I can't see the future. I can cope with whatever trials I have to--but I would never be able to handle knowing that they are coming!
My dear little sister posted on her blog today "Lastly, it has been brought home to me that life is meant to be lived IN the moment, and regardless of what the future holds, enjoy what you have when you have it! As of a year ago, I would have been crushed and bewildered had I known where I am today. I don’t know where I will be in a year, but that is ok. I will enjoy where I am right now, and deal with tomorrow when it happens."
K.H. (from an email received 5/18/10)
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Lord, keep your arm around my shoulder and your hand over my mouth ... AMEN!
M.O. (from an email received 5/13/10)
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"Yes, before our lives are over we may all be given a little taste of what the prophets faced often in their lives. ... These difficult lessons teach us that man's extremity is God's opportunity, and if we will be humble and faithful, if we will be believing and not curse God for our problems, He can turn the unfair and inhumane and debilitating prisons of our lives into temples—or at least into a circumstance that can bring comfort and revelation, divine companionship and peace." Jeffrey R. Holland, "Lessons from Liberty Jail," Ensign, Sept. 2009
L.B. (from an email received 5/12/10)
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“All great things happen at the edge of chaos”. Stephen Covey
K.H. (from an email received 5/11/10)
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I know that all things are possible if I just put my faith in Jesus Christ!
H.O. (from an email received 5/11/10
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It is a curious fact that the two oceanic elements of most importance to the sea-farer - wind and current - are designated using opposite referents: a wind is named for the direction from which it is blowing (a westerly breeze is a light wind from the west), but a current is named for the direction to which it flows (a westerly current flows to the west). There seems to be no good reason for this, but the practice is not likely to be changed. In any case, the convention has to be kept in mind when considering wind systems.
It has always amazed me that you can have a favorable wind in a journey only to find an unfavorable current when trying to get home. The opposite can also be true to have a favorable current into a safe harbor only to find the wind blowing in the opposite direction. You always have to look at both, be willing to take advantage of either and expect the opposing factors.
But... when you find you have a favorable wind from the west and a favorable current to the east, take advantage, rest, know that the direction you want to go will be an easy one.
M. & L. F.
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“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear;
But of power (Priesthood power, power of the Holy Ghost)
And of Love (Love of Heavenly Father, Love of Christ, Love for each other)
And of a sound mind" (depending on how much sleep you’ve had)
2 Timothy 1:7
K.H. (from an email received 5/4/10)
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Trust in the Lord and the Lord will lift burdons.
J.C. (from an email received 5/2/10)
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I'm so grateful for the power of prayer (when I just ask him, he helps. Why not ask right?). I'm so grateful for wonderful family members and friends who support me so much. And most importantly, I'm grateful for my Savior Jesus Christ who carries me when I feel like I can only crawl.
H.O. (from an email received 5/2/10)
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God closes doors no man can open and
God opens doors no man can close.
M.O. (from an email received 4/29/10)
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"Everywhere there are [people] who are in the middle of their own stories, facing dangers and hardships. ...there will be “angels round about you, to bear you up” (D&C 84:88). They will sustain us as we carry our earthly burdens. Often in our lives, those angels are the people around us, the people who love us, those who allow themselves to be instruments in the Lord’s hands. President Spencer W. Kimball said: “God does notice us, and he watches over us. But it is usually through another person that he meets our needs. Therefore, it is vital that we serve each other in the kingdom” (“There Is Purpose in Life,” New Era, Sept. 1974, 5)." Susan W. Tanner
M.B. (from and email received 4/26/10)
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I think it is incredible how the scriptures open up and we see things we never noticed before when we are going through a really scary trial.
P.O. (from an email received 4/24/10)
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“In an artistic composition, the contrast between values serves to focus a viewer's attention. (Value is the whiteness or blackness of a color). Our eyes perceive the world via values. If there is no contrast, there is no picture. Contrast is most evident when black is next to white. On a painting, the area where the darkest dark and the lightest light come closest together is the most visually attractive. The greater the difference, the more attention the area attracts. In life, just like in art, the most interesting part is the part where dark meets light. That's the place where the eye begins its journey around the piece. That's the intersection where our eyes and hearts linger, where our minds mull, where we know the light, looking out or back to or even from the dark… "There must needs be an opposition in all things." The language strikes me differently that morning: "an opposition" present in all things, something against which my experiences can lean so that I can see the difference. Experience that allows me to know good from evil, dark from light, joy from sorrow, pain from peace. Without the opposition, or contrast, I don't have a way to know that I know. If there is no dark, there is no way to know light. If there is no sorrow, there is no way to know and appreciate joy. If there is no heartbreak, there is no way to recognize and sink into peace.”
K.H. (from an email received 4/20/10)
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I know that God does know us. He knows our needs, our challenges our weaknesses and fears. He also knows the purpose for which He created us. He knows that we can fulfill that purpose only through being buried in the waters – of baptism, and also of challenges. He knows that the winds are furious and the temptations frightening; but He also knows that we will make it. We will arrive at the promised land.
M.B. (from an email received 4/20/10)
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My heart feels broken sometimes. But I am so grateful for my Savior. I know that He knows the truth. And the storms may come and wind may blow hard but I have shelter and relief. I know "this too shall pass".
C.W. (from an email received 4/17/10)
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'To get something you never had, you have to do something you never did.' When God takes something from your grasp, He's not punishing you, but merely opening your hands to receive something better. Concentrate on this sentence... 'The will of God will never take you where the Grace of God will not protect you.'
M.O. (from an email received 4/15/10)
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A little girl, dressed in her Sunday best, was running as fast as she could, trying not to be late for Bible class. As she ran she prayed, 'Dear Lord, please don't let me be late! Dear Lord, please don't let me be late!'
While she was running and praying, she tripped on a curb and fell, getting her clothes dirty and tearing her dress. She got up, brushed herself off, and started running again! As she ran she once again began to pray, 'Dear Lord, please don't let me be late...But please don't shove me either!'
M.O. (from an email received 4/13/10)
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The end will be even better than the beginning!
K.H. (from an email received 4/6/10)
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The lord never gives up on us! We need to do the same for him! Keep the commandments, repent often, and use the atonement! This gospel is true!
J.C. (from an email received on 4/6/10)
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It is misleading to imagine that we are developed in spite of our circumstances, for we are developed because of them. It is mastery in circumstances that is needed, not mastery over them.
L.B. (from an email received on 4/5/10)
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The gospel gives hope to those that don't have hope. Builds faith for people that dont have faith.
M.W. (from an email received on 4/01/10)
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One day I hopped in a taxi and we took off for the airport. We were driving in the right lane when suddenly a black car jumped out of a parking space right in front of us. My taxi driver slammed on his brakes, skidded and missed the other car by just inches! The driver of the other car whipped his head around and started yelling at us. My taxi driver just smiled and waved at the guy. And I mean, he was really friendly. So I asked, "Why did you just do that? This guy almost ruined your car and sent us both to the hospital!" This is when the taxi driver taught me what I now call, "The Law of the Garbage Truck."
He explained that many people are like garbage trucks. They run around full of garbage, full of frustration, full of anger and full of disappointment. As their garbage piles up, they need a place to dump it and sometimes they'll dump it on you. Don't take it personally. Just smile, wave, wish them well and move on. Don't take their garbage and spread it to other people at work, at home or on the street. The bottom line is that successful people do not let garbage trucks take over their day.
M.L. (from an email received on 3/27/10)
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K.H. (from an email received on 3/23/10)
--------------------"Remember: When you get into a tight place and everything goes against you, till it seems as though you could not hang on a minute longer, never give up then, for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn." Harriet Beecher Stowe
C.W. (from a card received on 3/18/10)
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A friend of mine gave me a gift today of a body butter by Philosophy. It is called “Pure Grace” and it has this written on it:
One of the best tools for longevity and good health is not just taking a walk outdoors but taking your walk while holding the hand of God. When we walk in gratitude for each and every moment, we empower ourselves by empowering our spirits. When we breathe in nature through our eyes, ears and lips, we become certain that not only are our souls eternal, but that God knows how to manage our lives, our troubles, our worries and our days better than we do. So today and everyday, “let go and let God.”
M.O. (from an email received on 3/18/10)
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"My message to you today, my brothers and sisters, is simply this: the Lord is in control. He knows the end from the beginning. He has given us adequate instruction that, if followed, will see us safely through any crisis. His purposes will be fulfilled, and someday we will understand the eternal reasons for all of these events. Therefore, today we must be careful to not overreact, nor should we be caught up in extreme preparations; but what we must do is keep the commandments of God and never lose hope!” M. Russell Ballard, “The Joy of Hope Fulfilled,” Ensign, Nov. 1992, 31
L.B. (from an email received 3/17/10)
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"Go and find him when your patience and strength run out and you feel alone and helpless. Jesus is waiting for you in the chapel. Say to him, ‘Jesus, you know exactly what is going on. You are all I have, and you know all things. Come to my help.’ And then go, and don’t worry about how you are going to manage. That you have told God about it is enough. He has a good memory." Jeanne Jugan, 1792-1879
K.H. (from an e-mail received on 3/16/10)
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Honestly, grace and hope are sometimes all that we have. When we found out my dad had cancer-he honestly handled it with such grace. Even though we suffered this significant loss-there were so many beautiful things that happened that strengthened my faith. After he passed away-that morning-I was talking to my nephews and said Papou was full of hope, not cancer. I have said that over and over again, to myself and to others, and it makes perfect sense to me. He did not let the cancer define him and it isn’t what we focused on. We focused on hope-and we had a lot of it. Still do. God was very merciful to him and honestly I am grateful for that.
~M.O. (from an e-mail received on 3/16/10)
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"I have learned that it is by serving that we learn how to serve. When we are engaged in the service of our fellowmen, not only do our deeds assist them, but we put our problems in a fresher perspective. When we concern ourselves more with others, there is less time to be concerned with ourselves. In the midst of the miracle of serving, there is the promise of Jesus, that by losing ourselves, we find ourselves.
"Not only do we 'find' ourselves in terms of ackknowledging guidance in our lives, but the more we serve our fellowmen in appropriate ways, the more substance there is to our souls. We become more significant individuals as we serve others. We become more substantive as we serve others--indeed, it is easier to 'find' ourselves because there is so much more of us to find." (Spencer W. Kimball)
~M.B. (from an email received 3/15/10)
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"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." (Romans 12:12)
~G., S., A., and G. (from card received 3/15/10)
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"The kind of gratitude that receives even tribulations with thanksgiving requires a broken heart and a contrite spirit, humility to accept that which we cannot change, willingness to turn everything over to the Lord--even when we do not understand, thankfulness for hidden opportunities yet to be revealed. Then comes a sense of peace.
"When was the last time you thanked the Lord for a trial or tribulation? Adversity compels us to go to our knees; does gratitude for adversity do that as well?
"President David O. McKay observed, 'We find in the bitter chill of adversity the real test of our gratitude . . . , which . . . goes beneath the surface of life, whether sad or joyous' (Pathways to Happiness, comp. Llewelyn R. McKay [1957], 318)." Bonnie D. Parkin, "Gratitude: A Path to Happiness," Ensign, May 2007, 35 36
~C.M. (from an email received 3/15/10)
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"Let us come boldly to the very throne of God and stay there to receive His mercy and to find grace to help us in our times of need." Hebrews 4:16
~J., M., O., and S. (from a card received 3/14/10)
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I feel like we each receive experiences that will help us to come to know the love of God for us personally unequivocally. ... When he tells you he loves you dearly, believe him. When he promises you something that seems impossible, believe him...you can spend your days thanking him. You are so precious to Him...acknowledge the privilege to belong to him. ... You will know that Christ filled the gap for you because your Heavenly Parents love you sooo very dearly.
~P.O. (from an email received 3/12/10)
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"Feed your Faith and your fears will starve to death"
~P.B. (from a card received a few weeks ago)
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A nurse on the pediatric ward, before listening to the little ones' chests, would plug the stethoscope into their ears and let them listen to their own heart. Their eyes would always light up with awe, but she never got a response equal to four-year old David's comment. Gently she tucked the stethoscope into his ears and placed the disk over his heart. 'Listen', she said...'What do you suppose that is?' He drew his eyebrows together in a puzzled line and looked up as if lost in the mystery of the strange tap - tap - tapping deep in his chest. Then his face broke out in a wondrous grin and he asked,
'Is that Jesus knocking?'
~M.O. (from an email recieved 3/9/10)
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I was down in Santa Fe visitng a few weeks back and my son and I had a chance to go visit 'The Oldest Church.' It was a church built in the 1400's by the Pueblo indians and then the Spanish converted it to a Catholic Church in the 1600's and it remains that way today. It's a place full of history and intrigue. They had a place to light candles in people's honor, so I lit one for Talitha. My son is a history buff, so we spent a lot of time there. When it was time to leave, I went to check on Talitha's candle to make sure it was still lit and hers was burning the brightest and biggest of them all!
~M.D. (from an email recieved 3/5/10)
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With all of these hardships and trials my emotions have been all over the place and many times, I must admit, I felt like giving up all hope. However, I recently had a very large pick-me-up.
In this months Ensign there is an article, written by one of my best friends father, on gratitude. It truly helped me see all the problems I'm facing in a new way. I now realize that although the things that my family and I are going through are extremely difficult, disappointing, hurtful, and sad, there is so much else in my life that is going right. I'm so grateful for a wonderful and supportive husband who is a worthy priesthood member. I am so grateful for the opportunity I have to be the example to my siblings of the joy living the gospel truly brings to your life. I am so grateful for my Savior and his atonement which helps heal my wounds and battered heart. I am so grateful for my knowledge and understanding of The Family: A Proclamation to the World.
~K.B. (from an email received 3/3/10)
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"Sometimes God calms the storm,
sometimes He calms the sailor."
~C.A. (from a card received 3/2/10)
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In my church we're celebrating the season of lent. It is a time when we individually renew our baptism commitment and pray and prepare for Easter. It is a time to come before God and mercifully ask for forgiveness and guidance. There are many services and prayers during the 40 days leading up to Easter and they are all very beautiful and meaningful. An abbreviation of the Prayer to Know Jesus Christ is:
Oh Lord Jesus, may I count everything as loss in comparison with the supreme advantage of knowing you. I want to know you and what your passion and resurrection can do. Give me the grace to make every effort to supplement faith with moral courage, knowledge with self-control, self control with patience, patience with piety, piety with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. May these virtues keep me both active and fruitful and bring me to the deep knowledge of you, Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
~M. O. (from an email received 3/01/10)
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A few days before my mom died (we had known for a while it would be coming), the words to "The Lord is my Shepherd" jumped in my mind suddenly, and would not leave. All day long each day the words would play over and over again as if the Lord really wanted to drill them in my mind. The third verse was extremely powerful.
In the midst of affliction my table is spread
With blessings unmeasured
My cup runneth over!
With perfume and oil thou anointest my head
Oh what shall I ask of thy providence more?
Oh what shall I ask of thy providence more?
Those words were oil to my soul and truly carried me through. I don't know how or why those words came, so I know they came from the Comforter himself.
~A. G. (from an email received 2/24/10)
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After reading the post about how Tali gives her little ‘Yay!’ after all her pokes and prods. I loved the accompanying commentary as well, so I’ve resolved to be ‘Yay-ing’ a little more often. A sweet sweet message and I can just picture Tali doing it too. Anyway, I wanted to share simply that the word “Enthusiasm” when traced to its Greek roots literally means “God in you”.
~K. H. (from an email received 2/20/10)
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...praise God for every day...praise God for the energy to keep going when it seems impossible.
Christ literally bears us up when we have no more to do it with.
~P. O. (from an email received 2/20/10)
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I am grateful to the Lord who heals us of all types of afflictions.
~C. W. (from an email received 2/17/10)
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“I Know That My Redeemer Lives” . The phrases that stood out were from the 2nd verse
He lives to comfort me when faint
He lives to hear my soul’s complaint
He lives to silence all my fears
He lives to wipe away my tears
He lives to calm my troubled heart
He lives all blessings to impart
It is interesting how words can come at a time when there are so many questions and it just came home very powerfully how when we are asked to go through the trials he is there to listen even when we are complaining. However, He silences all our fears, wipes our tears and then imparts the blessings we need.
~H. B. (from an email received 2/10/10)
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When Lou Ann and I were traveling on motorcycles we had a little saying, "its just another adventure". We had this placed on a license plate frame on the back of the little trailer we pulled behind the bike. While traveling over 100,000 miles on a motorcycle we were able to experience a number of great things, some good, some not so good. There was the sunrise over Glacier/Waterton National Park in Canada, being held at gunpoint and searched in Mexico by 15 year old military troops, the mist in the redwoods in Redwoods national park and of course, waking up in a hospital in Craig Colorado after hitting a deer. When we got home we whould always say "it was just another adventure".
~M. F. (from an email received 2/5/10)
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Your thoughts on making lemonade out of lemons reminds me of a card I saw recently. I've listed it below and I think you can relate to what it says.
Outside of Card:
Hang in there….
Sometimes life hands you lemons,
but then you can make lemonade.
Inside of Card:
Of course, sometimes life pulls down your pants,
runs a power sander across your naked butt,
then pours lemon juice on your raw, abraded buttocks.
In that case, a cool citrus drink wouldn’t really help but,
darn it, you’ve got to hang in there anyway.
~B. E. (from an email received 2/3/10)
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Where much is given much is required. This is a true principle. Never forget the opposite is also true, Where much is required much is given.
~L. B. (from an email received 2/1/10)
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Whenever [there is] adversity I am reminded of one of my favorite scriptures which is found in Psalms 30:5…”weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.”
~D. B. (from an email received 1/14/10)
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We want to hear from you and will be posting excerpts from letters and emails we receive so we can all share messages of Faith, Hope and Gratitude with each other.
We invite you to send a card, letter, or email with simple expressions of your Faith, Hope and Gratitude that we can compile for Talitha to read as she gets older.
Email: william@ritraining.com
Mailing address:
William Black
694 N. 1890 W., Suite 44A
Provo, UT 84601
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