"If ye love me, keep my commandments" (John 14:15)

A little "valentine" I made from my incredibly awesome husband...

I was thinking about love on Valentine's Day, which is appropriate for such a day. As I was pondering love and love stories and what love really means I thought about what I have learned from being married (to an incredibly amazing man I might add). I have learned that love is more than just gifts, romantic dinners, and making love whenever we want. True love takes work. True love is sacrifice. And in the end, true love is totally worth all the work, energy, and sacrifice.

As I continued to ponder true love this scripture popped into my head: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16). To me, that is some pretty deep love (understatement). Actually, it is true love.

As I pondered this love, I thought about what we can do to show our love for Him. He tells us how: "If ye love me, keep my commandments" (John 14:15).  He doesn't say "Buy me things and then I will know you love me", or "You only have to keep half of the commandments because you are so awesome and doing whatever you want will make you happy". Nope. He's actually really direct and doesn't beat around the bush about how to express our love for Him. "If ye love me, keep my commandments". That is true love of God.

Principles that apply in weaving and in life..."Wisdom and order" (Mosiah 4:27)

So, I set some goals this year for learning some more basketry techniques. (Basketry is more sculptural and "artistic" than basket making...either way, I love to weave.) And I just completed my first basket that I made following the pattern/tutorial from a book that was written by Kari Lonning, an amazing contemporary basketry artist. I decided I needed to refine my technique and really learn/perfect certain forms of weaving. This is all good stuff, except for the fact that I am a perfectionist and have a really hard time seeing the good in what I do or accomplish- and not just in weaving (that's not so good.) As I am improving my ability to weave, I am also learning that many gospel principles apply to everything in life- even weaving.

Here are 4 things that I am trying to work on and apply in my weaving...and in my daily life.

1) Ask! "...Ye are commanded in all things to ask of God" (D&C 46:7)- this includes learning a new skill, understanding new things, learning His ways. Ask God for help. One of my favorite scriptures is D&C 88:118 "And as all have not faith, seek ye diligently and teach one another words of wisdom; yea, seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom; seek learning, even by study and also by faith". I feel like this scripture not only applies to learning about God, His Church, and His ways, but also about learning all truth. There are ways of getting better at developing our talents, and God knows all of those ways. "Let him that is ignorant learn wisdom by humbling himself and calling upon the Lord his God, that his eyes may be opened that he may see, and his ears opened that he may hear" (D&C 136:32). As I ask, He will guide my understanding, knowledge, and how to improve in all things. I have learned this for myself. It works!

2) Keep Trying! Sometimes I expect myself to know things perfectly that perhaps I have heard, read, or learned repeatedly over the years, yet, I still make mistakes. I must remember to keep trying. We get to learn "line upon line" (D&C 98:12), a little at a time and over and over. We get to learn things in wisdom and order, which is essential. "And see that all these things are done in wisdom and order; for it is not requisite that a man should run faster than he has strength. And again, it is expedient that he should be diligent, that thereby he might win the prize; therefore, all things must be done in order" (Mosiah 4:27). This has so many applications in life, and in weaving. As we keep trying and learning in wisdom and order, we will improve and get better at the things we desire most. It's totally worth the effort, especially when we don't run (or expect to perform) faster than we we are able. It will come. Keep trying. It's totally worth the effort.

3) Patience! The scripture in Matthew "Be ye therefore perfect" (Matt. 5:48) is not about being perfect now. Footnote b gives more insight to the meaning of 'perfect'. It says, "complete, finished, fully developed". I am learning and need to practice patience with myself, just as I would my own children because my weaving skills aren't fully developed, finished, or complete. I'm in the developmental stages, just like I am in many things. It takes time to develop new skills, change bad habits, or even learn to be open to the whisperings of the Spirit. So, while I learn these skills, I also get to practice patience. It's a double blessing.

 4) One last thing: Have fun! "Men are that they might have joy" (2 Nephi 2:25). And on those days that might not go as planned, or didn't meet your expectations, follow this advice: "If thou art sorrowful, call on the Lord thy God with supplication, that you souls may be joyful" (D&C 136:29). Now that is great advice.

Now- "Go and do" (see 1 Nephi 3:7) ...and have fun will doing all of it! It's worth the effort. This I testify.

The beginning of the basket..."wisdom and order" for sure!

The completed basket...not perfect, but I learned a ton of things! 

A view from the top...remember- Have Fun!

"...those who died in the faith of Christ are happy in Him" (Alma 46:41)

An amazing and wonderful friend, Joyce, passed away last night. I am shocked at how much emotion I have. I have been prepared for months for this to come, but still, I am crying. But you know what? Even though there are tears, there is also great peace. I am filled with great joy in knowing that she is happy.

Joyce and in in 2010- BTW she hated having her picture taken

You may ask how I conclude that she is happy. Let me tell you. Last night, shortly after receiving the phone call that she had passed away, we did our family scripture reading. We started where we were and the last verse, which I happened to read, said: "But there were many who died with old age; and those who died in the faith of Christ are happy in Him" (Alma 46:41). Joyce wasn't very old (in my book)- and today is also her birthday! What a great way to celebrate by returning "home". I know she is happy being with Him.

I met Joyce serving a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Arizona Phoenix mission. She was my mothers age. I still laugh at our first words together as we drove to our apartment. I said, "We will get along great if you don't try and act like my mother". Joyce replied, "We will get along great if you don't act like my daughter". We both ended up laughing. The real blessing was, we ended up being life long friends and definitely at times, she was a second mother to me. Whenever I think of her I always think of the words of the son's of Helaman: "We do not doubt, our mothers knew it" that "God would deliver them" (Alma 56:47-48). She would always tell me, "things work out. It will be okay." Things do always work out and things are okay, even when it's hard.

Boy did we laugh a lot over the years! Her laugh was infections, light, and melodic. I loved her laugh. Even when I last saw her in October, we laughed. Through the years, when I would call her and tell her of my woes, she would often find the humor in the situation and we would laugh and cry together. She taught me there is "a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance" (Eccl. 3:4). And boy could she dance! (like Tina Turner for sure!)

You know, even though it is hard that my beautiful friend, Joyce, has left this life, I am filled with peace from the knowledge the gospel brings to me. I know I will see my friend again. I also know when I see her she will be "perfect" (see Alma 11:44). I have been so blessed by her friendship. "I thank my God upon every remembrance of you" (Philippians 1:3). Have a happy birthday my friend! Until we meet again.

Joyce, or Nana to my children, with all 4 of my children in 2010.

Joyce and I in December of 2014. We were making a "goofy-face" for the camera. 

"I did liken all scriptures unto [me], that it might be for [my] profit and learning" (1 Nephi 19:23)

During my scripture study I had an insight that was simple and personal. I have read and known to put my own name in the scriptures to make them more personal from when I took seminary years ago. I remember reading for the first time, "I did liken all scriptures unto us, that it might be for our profit and learning" (1 Nephi 19:23). I was really excited about doing it. Since then, I often put my own name in place of other names when studying the scriptures. Well, to put "I" or "me" in the right place makes a big difference and not just my own name. I know making this little change will affect the way I focus on the sacrament each week. Here is what I read and applied:

"O God, the Eternal Father, [I] ask thee in the name of thy Son, Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this bread to [my soul] who [partakes] of it, that [I] may eat in remembrance of the body of thy Son, and witness unto thee, O God, the Eternal Father, that [I] am willing to take upon [me] the name of thy Son, and always remember Him and Keep His commandments which He has given [me]; that [I] may always have His Spirit to be with [me]. Amen." (D&C 20:77)

"O God, the Eternal Father, [I] ask thee in the name of thy Son, Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this [water] to [my soul] who [drinks] of it, that [I] may do it in remembrance of the blood of thy Son, which was shed for [me]; that [I] may witness unto thee, O God, the Eternal Father, that [I] do always remember Him, that [I] may have His Spirit to be with [me]. Amen" (D&C 20:79)

 I know that as we make the scriptures more personal when we apply them to ourselves individually we are given more personal guidance, personal revelation, and personal help in our daily lives. This I testify.

It applies to us individually
(image found here)

"Feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do" (2 Nephi 32:3)

My awesome husband had asked me for several weeks to remember to turn the cold water off in our shower so it wouldn't drip. I kept forgetting. I finally asked him to leave me a note. This is what he left me:

My husband loves me and leaves me little notes...

It is a simple way to help me remember to turn off the cold water "a little more" after showering. I have learned that even though the note is right in front of my face on the mirror, unless I take the time to read it, I don't remember to do it.

I need "notes" to help me remember to do small things that make life better, to accomplish tasks, or to help my children (just to name a few items of which I need help remembering). I am always telling my family, "Leave me a note or I won't remember".

As I was looking at the various notes I have stuck everywhere from my children and my husband to help me remember things I need to do, I realized that God leaves me little notes, too. The trick is, I must read them. These little notes from God are throughout the scriptures. I love getting notes from God. Here are just a few of the notes that have come to mean a lot to me:

" For the natural man is an enemy to God...unless he yields to the enticings of the holy Spirit..." (Mosiah 3:19)

"If ye love me, keep my commandments" (John 14:15)

"For with God nothing shall be impossible" (Luke 1:37)

"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid" (John 14:27)

"Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not" (D&C 6:36) 

"...by small and simple things are great things brought to pass..." (Alma 37:6)

"If ye are prepared ye shall not fear" (D&C 38:30) 

"Wherefore, be not weary in well-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work. And out of small things proceedeth that which is great" (D&C 64:33)

We all need help remembering, but to be reminded with a note only helps if we read the note. I think Nephi said it pretty well: "Wherefore, I said unto you, feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do" (2 Nephi 32:3). God is talking to us, we just need to read His words and then "go and do" (1 Nephi 3:7). This I testify.