Watering the Tree We Are Growing

The other day I was moved by a scripture that reminded me that raising kids is like growing a tree. And because a tree doesn't grow over night it will always take faith, patience, love and long-suffering.

Today I was looking up a song by Hilary Weeks and happened upon a post on her blog where she shared the story of a woman, who, although bent over by osteoporosis, planted two little pine trees at the near by church and then each day carried two buckets from her home, about 3 blocks away, despite those who thought it was a futile effort.

Just think of all the little things that we do each day to raise happy kids. To think that most of our efforts won't bear any fruit until they are grown. Even then, we may not even live to see the full height and stature of the people they will become in this world.

I love stories of endurance.

To read the full post (which I highly recommend) click here.

Growing a Tree

Alma 32:43 "Then, my brethren, ye shall reap the rewards of your faith, and your diligence, and patience, and long-suffering, waiting for the tree to bring forth fruit unto you."

I sure needed to read this scripture tonight after the day I had today. It was long and I wanted to be cranky at night (wanted is not the right word) but it is sure how I felt today and most days when the kids are so tough to get down. But today I reminded myself every minute that I was practicing being "long-suffering" and shouldn't blow my lid over bedtime!

But with a traveling husband and three crazy boys it is hard to stay calm and charitable when you are so worn out from playing out in the hot sun for 8 hours with the kids. I definitely didn't let off much steam, just streamlined the bedtime a little. There are very few days that I wish the kids would "just grow up already," but today I was reminded by this scripture that it is going to be a long process. A tree may sprout up from a seed fairly quickly but it will be years before it bears good fruit!

I have to remember, I am growing a tree. Maybe tomorrow we will do a little better to nurture it and make it feel more loved... even at the end of a long day outside in the hot sun:) Love my little tree family! Just got a little tired, but don't we all!

Membership, Testimony and Conversion

In any church and religion there are always going to be common terms that will be used without definition, a problem for those maybe visiting or new to the "congregation": the group that meets in that building for services. But even for those who attend regularly and have for many years, it is important to define these terms to gain greater insite to their purpose and use.

Recently, I read an address from the recent Women's Conference by Elder Neil L. Andersen that didn't necessarily define these terms in the usual sense, but most definitely gave me great insite that I can easily apply to my life and how I worship. Here are the notes in a simple list form. If you have any questions, post a comment and I try to answer them the best that I can.

Membership in the LDS church begins with baptism
Conversion, unlike baptism, is an ongoing process
Membership does not = conversion
Being converted and having a testimony are not the same
A testimony comes from the witness of the Holy Ghost
A moving testimony leads to faith
Faith leads to repentance and obedience to the commandments
Conversion is the fruit of repentance and obedience

Conversion leads to greater discipleship
You feel greater strength as you are armed with righteousness
You see more clearly
Sense more deeply your identity as a child of God
Realize in greater measure the purposes you have accomplished, are accomplishing, and will yet accomplish.
You are more sensitive in taking His name upon you

You seek spiritual gifts from God

Give added care to following Him

"Ultimately, conversion brings happiness, peace and a greater portion of the Holy Ghose and a bright hope for the future."

This talk resinated with me because it is true. Conversion truly is an ongoing process, as I have witnessed throughout my life. At the time I was baptized I had a testimony of many principles of the gospel; mainly, I knew that I was a child of a loving Father in Heaven and that He loved me. I knew my Savior died for me and that He loved me, too. I also felt very strongly that this church was led by God. It wouldn't be for many years after that, though, that I would be converted. It took many mistakes and wrong choices to get me to finally want to know for certain the path that I should take in life. When I was 16, I gained an understanding of faith and repentance and found that as I acted on my faith and sought God for forgiveness and help, was I truly converted to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Since then, I have experienced the fruits of conversion that Elder Andersen stated. I hope to have all those feelings continue to increase in my life as I strive to draw closer to the Lord in all that I do. I love Him and know that He loves me and that this church will lead me back into His presence one day.

Again, if you have a question, post a comment I will definitely respond in the best way that I can.

To read more about what I believe visit my profile on Mormon.org

From an address given at Women's Conference 2012, held at BYU, We Need Not Fear, by Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles