What Would You Tell Yourself?

If I could go back and visit myself at age four, I would give myself a big hug and tell little Holly to remember the reason I was sent to earth.  I am not here to prove my worth, although the world teaches differently.  I am not here to be "endlessly entertained", although there are plenty of things that are entertaining that compete for my time.  I am not here to necessarily have a life of ease.  The trials and heartaches we experience build character and teach us about who we are and who we can become.  I am here to remember who I am, and use my agency to show and prove what I truly desire.  I desire to be all my Father wants me to be--for I am His daughter.  Although I can not go back to the 1970's, I can be gentle and loving with myself now and remind myself of these truths daily.  I can take the opportunity to share these principles with my own sweet little daughters as well as my sons--and help them connect with their true identity.  Ideas like these need to be reviewed -- thus we are commanded to feast on the words of Christ daily so that they will sink deep into the heart and soul-- so deep that they will affect our actions and change us into who we are meant to be.       

Blue Skies as Far as the Eye See

Many people in my family stayed up late last night watching movies because of spring break.  I actually got to sleep at a descent hour.  I woke up this morning to the most beautiful sunshine.  It was suppose to be raining today so it was such a nice surprise.  The thought came to me that those that choose to wallow around in the darkness, miss the joy of the morning sunlight.  Who knows if this weather will last all day.  Nature is symbolic of life.  I thought it was interesting that it is also that way with us.  If we choose to stay in darkness, we will not have the ability or desire to enjoy light.  We will miss out.  My soul is full of hope and gratitude this morning.  I actually went to bed quite sad last night so I experienced quite a change this morning.  I am going to get out and seize the day-- and soak up the light.  (Ps. 27:1)

Spring Break

Spring Break= Spring Cleaning this year.  We have some day outings and fun activities planned for the kiddos too.  I went to the temple with the youth in our ward last week.  The temple had recently been closed for spring cleaning too. 

The temple president was explaining to us that every inch of the temple was cleaned--toothbrush scrubbed and polished.  That is the Lord's standard for His holy house.  As magnificent as the temple is, it can't compare with us--children of God.  What is the Lord's standard for us?  To be cleansed and free from dust, debris, dirt and ugliness of any kind.  With the Lord's help, we can be shiny, clean and bright-- full of light and love.  The president made the comment that the temple dirty (before spring cleaning) is cleaner than most of our homes when they are clean.  I love the temple.  It reminds me and teaches me how to think about and care for me.  It's up to me to keep me clean.  In order to live by the spirit, my temple-- my body, spirit and mind-- must be clean enough for the Holy Spirit to enter in and give guidance.  Pres. Hunter said that the temple is the symbol of our religion.  I think that it is a symbol for me personally too--my sign that inspires me to make everything beautiful with the Lord's help.  It reminds me that there is more than just today-- there is eternity.  I will prepare today for the things of tomorrow.  I will live in the eternities and I practice and visualize that in temples. 

It is always cool how my thoughts coincide with scriptures I read for the day and scriptures I read go with things I do during the day.  Today in my reading, I studied repentance-- D&C 15.

Light- D&C 14:9-11

I love light.  A couple of months ago I realized that I have the choice to be in the light or not.  Each moment, each choice, I demonstrate my desire for light or dark.  I must position myself in the light.  I then thought about how the earth and sun move.  The sun's light is always available--it's always there, but if you are not in a position to feel it (daytime...) you can't use it.  We then start to use artificial warmth and light to serve our needs.  Light guides us-- helps us see things clearly.  "Jesus Christ, the Son (Sun) of the living God [is] a light that cannot be hid in darkness."  Day or night, he is available (true light--not aritificial).  We just have to put ourselves in the position to feel His light.  We position ourselves in His light when we do what he's asked, when we learn of His gospel and trust it, and use that knowledge and light to guide our way.  The more we use the light to make decisions, the brighter the light becomes.  To live in His light is the best feeling on earth.  I crave it, I long for it, I love it, I remember it from before I came here. 

"Living God"-- What a blessing!  God is available to me today-- anytime, anywhere.  No appointment necessary, no fees, no fine print.  The creator of the universe cares about my day--he cares about the details in my life.  He lives to deliver me, to rescue me, to love me.  There is so much in our world to worship that isn't even alive-- false ideas, unrealistic expectations, TV, drugs, food, image, cars, houses.  None of these things deserve our energy, time, devotion, worship.  I honor and worship the true and "living" God.  This thought helps me stay in balance and see clearly temptations that would not benefit me.  Throughout this day I will hold that thought in my mind-- I Worship Only The True and Living God.  This is a commandment.  In D&C 2019 we are reminded of that-- "...gave unto them commandments that they should love and serve him, the only living and true God, and that he should be the only being whom they should worship."

As we put ourselves in a position to feel His light and we worship only Him, we are then in a position to help Him with His work-- to share His word with others.  By sharing what we have learned, it helps us to remain faithful.  We will also receive more spiritual and temporal blessings in this life and a "great" reward in the next.  It doesn't get any better than that!

Unleashing the Dormant Spirit

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=snAjZ8mfoYw

This is absolutely fabulous!

Marmie

Every time my husband looks at my blog he asks me who in the heck Marmie is.  That is my pen name.  Marmie is the mom's nickname in "Little Women".  I can relate with the mom of a bunch of pretty, clever little women.  I suppose my pen name should be Maria as in "Sound of Music"-- my ultimate all time favorite movie.  Funny how the Von Trapp family was made up of five girls and two boys-- just like my crew.

Scripture Study

Ok, so it's been almost a year since I have posted.  I have been on quite a journey-- it's been a great year of growth.  I have learned to rely more on the Lord, His word, His servants, and the Spirit.  One thing that I have learned how to do is to be more consistent with my personal scripture study and to really make the scriptures a part of me by "capturing" or journaling my thoughts as I read.  This has been such a huge blessing in my life.

The leaders of the church have encouraged members to blog, and so I thought that I could blog some of my scripture journaling thoughts along with a few of my experiences.  I am in D&C 14:8--

BELIEVING  is trusting in God enough to let Him take over your life.  Today in sacrament meeting we sang hymn 29, "A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief".  In the 6th verse there is a part that says, "He asked if I for him would die.  The flesh was weak; my blood ran chill, But my free spirit cried, I will!"  That thought touched my heart.  I read it over again.  I asked myself in that quick moment, "Do I believe Him enough to let bad habits, destructive thought processes, unkind feelings, pride, even discouragement in me die?"  Sure I could say that I would give my life for the cause, but will I give up my weaknesses--let them die so that I might live in and through Him?  What if the Savior personally stood before me and asked me to give up something-- maybe it's my time--maybe it's an unhealthy habit or relationship.  Maybe He asks me to let angry or offended feelings in me die.  Would my "free spirit" cry "I will!"-- notice the exclamation point.  That means with enthusiasm.  I like that it also says the "flesh was weak"--it's ok to not be perfect--that's expected, and it's ok to be scared but knowing who to turn to and trust in and believe in is key.

Back to the scripture in D&C--By believing and asking the Lord, we will receive the Holy Ghost that will enable us to change, repent, learn, testify, speak and stand as a witness for Him.  What a great opportunity we then have to serve and help in the Lord's work.  This verse says that once we have the Holy Ghost with us we will be able to stand as a witness of the things of which we shall hear and see.  In Sunday School the lesson was about "hearing and seeing."  Those that believe will be able to see with clarity and hear clearly and those that don't believe will doubt and be confused.  This is how the Holy Ghost works.