Forget Me Not

My family was sealed for Time and All Eternity in the Alaska Temple. It was a day that we never really thought nor imagined would really happened. It was something we hoped would happen "someday". Well that someday came... yesterday, September 18, 2010!

One of the things that President Christenson talked about was the Alaska State Flower, the Forget Me Not. Some of things he told us were so simple and I want to share them. 

He talked about Genealogy. This is something I started to do this past summer for the Ramos/Reyes side of the family. As I have searched for family members I have come found six or seven generations on my grandma Ramos' side of the family. President Christenson said that our ancestors are waiting on the other side saying "forget us not". They are waiting patiently waiting for us to do their work for them so they can return to HF exalted. 

He also talked about out posterity. Future generations will be blessed by the choices we are making now. They will be blessed because of the decision we have made to be sealed together in the covenant. 

Lastly, I liked how he talked about how the Lord is always saying "forget me not". We need to remember to always keep Jesus Christ in the Sure place. In our heart and make him the center of our lives. 

Although these statements were simple, they are truly profound. As we reflect on these simple truths, we should remember three simple words.... FORGET ME NOT.

Know This, That Every Soul is Free

I have been truly blessed by the Lord. I have been give so much for which I am thankful. As I've pondered and thought about all that I am thankful for, I am reminded of a quote that says, "What and If are two words as non-threatening as words can be. But put them together side-by-side and they have the power to haunt you for the rest of your life: What if?" Now you're probably thinking What and If have nothing to do with what I'm thankful for, but I am reminded of this quote because the two words Thank and You are also two non-threatening words. However, when you put them together, they have the power to bless you for the rest of our life.

Lately I've found myself praying more thanking Heavenly Father for the blessings he has most graciously bestowed upon myself and my family. I've thanked Him for the blessings that I've received and even those in which I'm unaware of. I've noticed lately that I've been more balanced, less emotional, more in tune with the Spirit and overall a lot happier. I've spent a lot of time pondering where my life is headed. I've pondered agency and the freedom to choose what to do. I've been blessed by knowing Heavenly Father's plan and that I am a truly beloved daughter of God.

Today in Sacrament meeting, we closed by singing the song Know This, That Every Soul is Free. As I sat there and sang, the words resonated through every inch of my being and my heart filled with so many emotions.

Know this, that ev'ry soul is free.

To choose his life and what he'll be;

For this eternal truth is giv'n:

That God will force no man to heav'n.

He'll call, persuade, direct aright,

And bless with wisdom, love, and light,

In nameless ways be good and kind,

But never force the human mind.

Freedom and reason make us men;

Take these away, what are we then?

Mere animals, and just as well

The beasts may think of heav'n or hell.

May we no more our pow'rs abuse,

But ways of truth and goodness choose; 


Our God is pleased when we improve

His grace and seek his perfect love.

"Daily I seek his perfect love." "Daily I am blessed with wisdom, love and light." These two particular lines just echoed through me and have really made me question a lot of things today. I feel there are many changes coming my way and it is now my time to prepare for them. Whatever these changes may be, I will prepare myself and know that I have not been forced and it is all through agency that I have chosen to follow the path set before me. It is with faith, diligence and heed that I move forward with gratitude for all that I have been given, and that which I will be given. It's time to follow your heat, but be quiet for a while first. Ask questions, then feel the answer. Learn to trust your heart.

Haven't Met You Yet

I had a great night tonight. I drove into Anchorage to attend Institute. Afterwards I was chatting with Brother Bacon about life in general, and at one point we were talking about dating. I mentioned that there are some very good guys. He looked at me and the "DUH" moment came when I said, "they just aren't good enough". It was one of those moments I just realized that I can only laugh at my "dating" situation or lack there of. So, that is what I did, I laughed and Brother Bacon smiled and said, "now that's the right attitude, just laugh about it"!

That physical act of laughing was such a relief. I was able to let things go, and I could actually see the bright side of things for a change. I've been rather frustrated the past few months (ok the last year) and it brought some much needed perspective, calmness and focus back into my life.

Then as I was driving home, not much to my surprise the song "Haven't Met You Yet" came on. So I  turned it up and sang along all the while, laughing at my "dating situation".

I'm not surprised, not everything lasts

I've broken my heart so many times, I stopped keeping track

Talk myself in, I talk myself out

I get all worked up, then I let myself down

I tried so very hard not to lose it

I came up with a million excuses

I thought, I thought of every possibility

And I know someday that it'll all turn out

You'll make me work, so we can work to work it out

And I promise you, kid, that I give so much more than I get

I just haven't met you yet

I might have to wait, I'll never give up

I guess it's half timing, and the other half's luck

Wherever you are, whenever it's right

You'll come out of nowhere and into my life