Week Five

This week, I have completed Integrity #7, which says:

List the issues, trends, and problems that weaken the family. Read the First Presidency message, “The Family: A Proclamation to the World”, and the section on family in For the Strength of Youth. Then research in the Church magazines the counsel of those whom we sustain as prophets, seers, and revelators. Write in your journal your plan to strengthen your present family and the values and traditions you want to establish with your future family.

My journal:
I love the part in the Family Proclamation that states that, "Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities." That seems like such a great list to work on. If I can help my family now and in the future to focus on these principles, I will feel like a very successful mom. I am so lucky that I came from a family that has been strong at doing activities together as a family, and I hope to maintain that strength as I expand my own family. I read a talk by Elder Hales on strengthening our families. I have recommitted to having family scripture study, family prayer, and regular family home evening. Sometimes it is tough to do, but I know that it will be worth it!  

This week, I also need to record worthwhile attributes and quiet acts of service for  Individual Worth #3.
Some are: My husband going to help my mom and sister-in-law in distress
My brothers and how helpful they are to each other.
My parents going to Virginia to help my brother and his family move.

Book of Mormon reading:
Mosiah 20-Alma 6.  Man, I love the Book of Mormon!  It is so fun to read it all over again, and to do so quickly.  I am loving reading it this week.  I was particularly struck with how much King Benjamin's speech influenced the church for generations.  Wow!

Week Four

Knowledge #3:

Memorize Article of Faith number thirteen and recite it to a parent, a leader, or another adult. Then visit a museum or exhibit or attend a performance that involves dance, music, speech, or drama. Using this article of faith as a guide, evaluate what you saw and heard. In your journal write your thoughts about how you can use this article of faith as a guide for all you do so the Holy Ghost will be your constant companion. Share those thoughts with a parent or leader.

My journal:
I think that keeping ourselves pure on the inside helps us to be able to feel the spirit greater. I know that I am very unhappy when I don't feel the spirit and I hate that. I went to the Willard Arts Center at Colonial Theater. It was awesome to see the abstract art on the bottom floor. On the top floor, they had an exhibit of pictures taken of mountain tops put together. I am amazed at what a beautiful world Heavenly Father has given us, and at how much he must love us to give us such a beautiful world to look at every day. 

Knowledge #7: (Number 5 doesn't really apply to me)

At Young Women camp you learn skills in first aid, safety, sanitation, and survival. Review these teachings in your Young Women Camp Manual and note in your journal how you could apply them in your home to keep your family safe. Develop a list of basic supplies your family will need in case of an emergency. Teach a family home evening lesson or share with a Young Women leader what you have learned and what additional skills you would like to learn to be prepared for emergencies.

My journal:
First Aid:  The main things for first aid are to stop life-threatening dangers, keep the victim safe from further harm, and get proper medical help.  We need to know CPR and what to do in cases of persistent bleeding.  A basic knowledge of bandages, slings, and splints is also helpful.  Our family has a basic first aid kid and has knowledge of what to do, so I think we are okay.
Safety: Do not camp at dangerous places.  Be careful with fires.
Sanitation: When camping, keep trash separate and empty every night.  In areas where latrines are needed, keep everything sanitary. 
Survival: Know the stars and how to determine directions without a compass.  Know how to make a signal for help, and how to make an emergency shelter.

Choice and Accountability #3: (already done!)

Agency, or the ability to choose, is one of God’s greatest gifts to His children. Read about agency in Joshua 24:15; 2 Nephi 2; and Doctrine and Covenants 82:2–10. With a parent or leader, discuss the blessings and responsibilities of agency. Record in your journal your understanding of agency and the consequences of choices and actions.

My journal:
Agency is the whole reason that we come to this earth. We are sent to show our Heavenly Father what we will do with our own agency, whether we will choose his way or Satan's. Really, our will is the only thing that we truly have; everything else is really Heavenly Father's, that he has given us for trying on this earth.  

Book of Mormon reading:
I love the book of Mosiah!  I love reading about King Benjamin and Abinadi.  It is really some of my favorite stories!  Being reminded of them is awesome.  I have really enjoyed my reading this week!

Week 3

Individual Worth #4:

You are preparing now to fulfill a unique mission on the earth. Read Doctrine and Covenants 88:119. In your journal make a list of your hopes and dreams for your future home, family, and education and some important things you would like to accomplish in your life, including becoming a wife and mother. Then write a plan that will help you achieve your goals. Share this plan with a family member, leader, or friend.

My journal:
I feel like I have already attained a lot of my hopes and dreams. It has always been my hope to be a wife and a mother. I was able to find the man of my dreams and marry him in the temple over 5 years ago. I was also able to have my first baby almost two years ago, and I am expecting another one. I feel like there have been many many bumps along the road, but I have appreciated knowing that Heavenly Father has always been very mindful of me and of my challenges, and has helped me along the way.  

Knowledge #6:

Memorize two of your favorite hymns from the hymnbook. Learn the correct conducting pattern for the hymns (see Hymns, 383–85) and then conduct them at least two times at a family home evening, in a Young Women or other Church meeting, or at seminary. Read the scriptures listed at the bottom of each hymn.

My journal (I know it didn't ask for one, but here it is):

My two FAVORITE hymns. . . that is hard to choose
One would have to be hymn #19 . . . We Thank Thee Oh God For A Prophet.
I love this one because I remember a story told to me when I was younger about how President Hunter was speaking to a crowd, and a crazy person walked in and threatened to shoot him or something like that. The entire congregation started singing the hymn, and it immediately calmed him down and he was able to contain himself and the guards were able to take him away.
The other one is hymn #124 . . . Be Still My Soul
I love this hymn because it seems to be a lot of my life. A lot of times in my life, I have had to just reassure myself that everything is going to be okay. I know that God is watching over me every step of the way. 
I also read the scriptures at the end of each one.  I feel like I have conducted a lot of times (it used to be my calling), so I pretty much have that under control. 

Book of Mormon reading:
I did it!  I love the end of 2nd Nephi.  Enos is also one of my favorite books.  I love the Book of Mormon!

Individual Worth #7

It says:

Heavenly Father has given you special gifts. Read 1 Corinthians 12:4–12; 13; Moroni 7:12–13; 10:8–18; and Doctrine and Covenants 46:11–26. Ask a family member, a Young Women leader, and a friend to write down positive qualities the Lord has given you. List your gifts in your journal, and write how you can continue to develop these gifts and use them to serve your family and others.

I have really loved doing this one.  It is a little nerve-racking to ask people to help with it, but I asked my mom and Sister Meservy to make a list, and then my husband wanted to do one too, so I let him.  :)  I am not going to post my entire journal, but it was really a great experience and here is what I had to say at the end:

I love having a list of these qualities. I seriously had no idea what they would say, and their lists make me feel so good and make me feel like I need to keep making better and better decisions and choices. 

I have also decided on what three projects I will do.
1) Divine Nature: Make a blanket with stitching for my little boy
2) Individual Worth: Make a scrapbook for my family in 2013, using pictures taken through the year
3) Virtue: Read the Book of Mormon 

You know what I have decided?  Personal Progress is really not that hard!  In fact, when you get down to it, it is pretty fun and completely doable!

Week 2

OK, better this week!

Here are the value experiences:

Faith #2:

 "Discover the principles of faith taught by the mothers of Helaman’s stripling warriors. Read Alma 56:45–48 and 57:21. Review what “The Family: A Proclamation to the World” says about a mother’s role. With a mother, grandmother, or leader, discuss the qualities a woman needs in order to teach children to have faith and to base their decisions on gospel truths. How can these principles help you in your life today and help you prepare to be a faithful woman, wife, and mother? Record your thoughts and feelings in your journal."

Here is my journal:

The role of the mother is so important. I think that mainly, women need to lead their children by example. I have heard it said, "Teach your children, and when necessary, use words." I think it is important to have a firm testimony in the gospel, and to teach children that they need to live up to their heritage and ancestry. A mother needs to have a lot of patience and a lot of nurturing skills as well. She needs to be praying and reading her scriptures, so that she can know how to help her children when they need her help. I love reading about the mothers of Helaman's stripling warriors, because they must have been so courageous and such an example to their children. I hope to be that example to my children as well. 

Divine Nature #1:

"What are some of the divine qualities of a daughter of God? Read “The Family: A Proclamation to the World”; 2 Peter 1; Alma 7:23–24; and Doctrine and Covenants 121:45. In your own words, list the divine qualities discussed in your reading. Think about how you can discover and develop each of these qualities. Record your ideas in your journal. "

Here is my journal:
 
Divine qualities
Faith
Charity
Humility
Submissiveness
Confident
Kind
Patient
Nurturing 

Virtue #1: 

"Virtue is a pattern of thought and behavior based on high moral standards. It includes chastity and purity. The power to create mortal life is an exalted power God has given His children. He has commanded that this power be used only between a man and a woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife. Study the meaning and importance of chastity and virtue by reading Moroni 9:9; Jacob 2:28; “The Family: A Proclamation to the World”; and the section on sexual purity in For the Strength of Youth. Also read Article of Faith number thirteen and Proverbs 31:10–31. In your journal write the promised blessings of being sexually clean and pure and your commitment to be chaste."

Here is my journal:
Virtue and moral cleanliness are SO important to Heavenly Father. The blessings are very numberless, including being free from sexual diseases, but not only that, but being able to know that you are clean before God. When I got my recommend to get married in the temple, the stake president kind of held his breathe when he asked me about chastity. I said that there was no problem. He said, "really? None at all?" I told him that Chris and I were very good with each other. We understood that the time to have sex is after we have been sealed in the temple. We had both made covenants up to that point, and there was no reason to break them. It was a very good feeling to know that we were completely clean before him when we got married. I will continue to be chaste, because I know that there is no person on earth that I would rather be with than my husband. I know that this will bring me so many blessings in the eternities.  

Book of Mormon reading:
I finished to 1 Nephi 18 on Tuesday!  So that is good news!  As far as my assignment for this week, I was able to finish it on Sunday.  Man, I love the Book of Mormon!  These chapters were the Isaiah chapters, which I admit, are sometimes hard for me to get through, but I love them still!

In my lesson today, we talked about Virtue #3 in preparation for attending the temple.  I do not see it on the list, so I think I will do that sometime this week to check it off.

Week One

I TRIED to do week one, but it was a little difficult, because I was out of town.  There will be catch up next week!

I have already completed Individual Worth #1, so here is my journal from it:

• I have heard that when we go to the next world, we will be surprised at how well we know God and how well he knows us. I feel this all the time. I know that he knows me and loves me. I know that he is definitely mindful of me at all times. Sometimes, it is kind of unfathomable how well he knows me and everyone on this earth. But I am so grateful to know that he at least knows me individually. I have been reminded of this so many times in my life, from the time that I found my lost Minnie Mouse doll to the big things that have happened in my life. God really does know us and care about each of us. 

I am also working on Individual Worth #7.  I will not lie.  This one is hard because I have to ask other people to help me out.  I decided to ask my mom and Sister Meservy to help me.  They haven't gotten back to me, so that will have to wait.

The computer said that I had done Integrity #2, but there was no journal with it.  So I rewrote the journal:

• I have really tried lately to have personal integrity. I avoid gossip, inappropriate jokes, swearing and profanity, and being light-minded. I also try to be completely trustworthy and dependable in all my doings. I guess that I could improve myself a little bit by being more trustworthy and dependable. I will try to do so in all of my doings, especially with my family.  

I am also working on reading the Book of Mormon!  I have found more of the spirit with that than I expected.  It is amazing how much of the spirit you can feel with reading a book!  I only got to 1 Nephi Chapter 10, where it recounts Nephi's dream, and decided that I was too tired to finish.  So I will play catch up with that too!

Some observations from this week:

• Personal progress is fun, but a lot of work as well.
• It is hard to stay disciplined when there are so many distracting things around.  Especially when you are on vacation.
• Reading the Book of Mormon brings the spirit into my home so well.  It is amazing.  I am excited to continue reading it!