Where does time go?

This time of year is always really busy. The school year is coming to an end, which means programs, field trips, volunteering, etc. On top of that my oldest daughter is showing a pig at a local stock show. It is a new world to me, but I am loving the responsibility it teaches her. As time gets closer to the stock show, it means more time walking the pig, and working with the pig. So more trips for that. Anyway my time is becoming more or less crunched! I did lose two pounds this week too! So I am excited about that!

An interesting thing happened on Saturday. As you might recall, or you can go back and read, I was writing about how I needed to learn more about the Atonement. Well our neighbor, who is in our ward bishopric thought he had his Sunday sacrament meeting planned for a high council speaker. He was asking my husband, who is on the high council, if he knew who would be speaking in our ward. My husband informed him that high council was speaking the following Sunday. And my husband then, because he had been in the bishopric and could relate, offered to speak. I came over trying to find him, and needless to say I volunteered too. I have learned to never turn down an opportunity for growth or learning in the gospel.

So Sunday I had to speak on the Atonement because that was the assigned topic for the month. Coincidence? No way! I thought I would just post some of what I learned for myself from the talk I wrote, hopefully you do not mind!

When preparing this talk, the question, "What does the Atonement mean to me?" kept entering my mind. Sometimes I think that when we here the word Atonement, we become a little nervous, because we cannot adequately articulate what we know. Or we feel that we do not understand as much as we should. One reassuring fact is that our mortal selves cannot fully understand the impact the Atonement has for us because it is eternal, and we are in a temporal world.

But this does not excuse us from learning all we can. Elder Scott spoke of this, just a few weeks ago at conference. He said, “I realize that no mortal mind can adequately conceive, nor can human tongue appropriately express, the full significance of all that Jesus Christ has done for our Heavenly Father’s children through His Atonement. Yet it is vital that we each learn what we can about it."

As I think back upon the many nights that I have laid awake bogged down by frustration, and sorrow for my mistakes, my weaknesses and my inadequacies. I know in whom I have put my trust.

Because I have felt the power of the Atonement in my life, I have learned that the Lords tender mercies are available to us all, at anytime, for any reason. I have learned that through faith and trust in the Lord I can overcome my weaknesses and allow them to be strengths. I have discovered that the Atonement can encompass every aspect of my life, not just my misdeeds.

For example, while attending classes at UVU a few years ago, my weaknesses were all too apparent. I wondered how in the world I could accomplish the responsibilities of being a mother, running a home, going to school and completing homework in a respectable and honorable manner. Many times I felt overwhelmed. During those times, I knelt in prayer, asking for help. My mind would be opened so that I could quickly accomplish my assignments. My time became more structured as I created a routine and balance to my responsibilities. I was able to prioritize and achieve my goals. Through the Atonement and trust in the Savior I learned that I could overcome the overwhelming burdens that were weighing me down because it was the Savior who was carrying them with me.

I have learned that the Lord, through his Atonement, desires my happiness. When I utilize the Atonement, serving Him, trusting Him, allowing His will to become my own I am blessed beyond my expectations.

I have learned that sacrifice brings blessings. Because the greatest sacrifice ever given has brought forth the greatest blessing we could receive.

I have learned that love is infinite, personal, loyal, and pure.

I have learned that One who was perfect felt of my imperfections first.

I have learned that Hope shines on eternal.

I have learned that Atonement creates relationships that bring charity, service, and peace into my life.

I have learned that the Savior loves me because he said, “Lift up your hearts and be glad for I am in your midst, and am your advocate with the Father;”

He is here. He is my brother. And it is only through Him that I will be able to return to Heavenly Father.

So there is just a bit of what I wrote and spoke on. But the amazing thing that I discovered is how much of a testimony I already have, and how much I have failed to see those blessings and take note of them as I ponder over them. I am grateful for journals that help me remember this, and remind of what I have learned, and what I still need to learn. I am grateful for the opportunity to learn and to continually learn. There was a time years ago when I heard President Hinckley say that he was still learning so much from the scriptures and attending the temple. I wondered then how that could be? But as I get older and continually study my scriptures and attend the temple, and gain life experience I am learning about the principle of "precept upon precept." It is a continual process that keeps going, and requires work and effort. It strengthens and builds your foundations. Brings hope and peace to your hearts as we go through a difficult life. I love the gospel. I am grateful to have parents who found it and joined and raised me to find the same joy for myself. It gets exciting sometimes to see what you have learned and wonder what more you can discover.

I am grateful for the mercy of the Lord in being patient with me through this process as I overcome my own will to allow His will to work through me.