Marriage is great!

I have been thinking lately (well basically since I got married) what a blessing it is to be able to be married in the Lord's house and by God's power.  Todd and I have known each other now for about four years and have been married almost 4 months and it's amazing to me how our relationship has changed after being sealed by the power of God with Jesus Christ literally placed in the center of our marriage.  I feel the power of Christ's atonement working in our marriage daily, helping us to become one, easily overlook little things that could possibly cause stress or frustration, and love each other more.  I know it's only been a few months so I'm excited for years down the road, and even eternity!

With all the negative statistics on the survival of marriages in the world today, I was naturally nervous before getting married.  But in addition to feeling that the power of the Savior could make anything not only survive, but flourish when He is the center of it, during our sealing, as I looked around the room and felt the power of God's love so strong, I knew we had a great support system of friends, family, and even angels to help us have a successful marriage.

I know that marriage between a man and a woman is instituted of God and that all things that the Savior's love touches will survive.  I am so grateful for a merciful God who allows us to be married in His house for time and all eternity!

Am I my brother's keeper?

I loved this quote from a talk Elder Rasband gave in the April 2012 General Conference. 

“God bless all who endeavor to be their brother’s keeper, who give to ameliorate suffering, who strive with all that is good within them to make a better world. Have you noticed that such individuals have a brighter smile? Their footsteps are more certain. They have an aura about them of contentment and satisfaction … for one cannot participate in helping others without experiencing a rich blessing himself.” (President Thomas S. Monson)

There really is such a power that comes into our lives from serving.  Elder Rasband tells about a family trial they've been experiencing with their grandson having a rare chromosomal deletion which has been life-changing for their family in the time, money, energy, etc. required in rearing this sweet child.  They've had so many "angels" around them to bear them up that have given countless hours of selfless service, much of which has been given without being asked.  I love the special lesson learned from this trial:

"If you come upon a person who is drowning, would you ask if they need help—or would it be better to just jump in and save them from the deepening waters? The offer, while well meaning and often given, 'Let me know if I can help' is really no help at all.  We continue to learn the important value of being aware of and interested in the lives of those around us, learning not only the importance of giving help but also the overwhelming joy that comes from helping others."

"Special Lessons", Elder Ronald A. Rasband

Turn On the Light of Faith and Move Ahead

Here is a great quote my dear friend Ashley sent me awhile back I just visited again tonight and wanted to share. It's about moving forward with faith! Something so hard to do sometimes.

"So often we are tentative and don‘t move forward with conviction. We feel along our way as if we were afraid in the dark. It is so much better to turn on the light of faith and move ahead with energy and commitment. If our course is wrong, we will quickly recognize it and make the necessary adjustments. But if we pursue a course tentatively and indecisively, it is difficult to know whether it is right or wrong in time to correct it and make a difference. The Lord said, 'I would thou wert cold or hot' (Revelation 3:15). I hope we choose being active and being hot. We should decide now to make our decisions prayerfully and then move forward with faith, energy, and determination. As one novelist said, 'If you‘re going to have steam in the kettle, you‘ve got to have a fire in the stove' (Louis L‘Amour)."

(Living Life by Axioms by Robert D. Hales; 14 August 2003)