Purchase Plan for Peace!

We all need more peace in our lives! This view of Bill will be familiar to all who have ever read scriptures with him---we try to read every night together, and rarely miss. I love the way his hand on his head means relaxed/reading/peaceful.
It matters so much to us to have that time of reading, especially the Book of Mormon, and prayer together. It is one of the habits that keep us centered on the things of most worth. It's only around 15 minutes usually. Best bargain around for a quarter of an hour!

Bill and I decided early on, that we want to purchase, with our choices, a celestial life. It matters little what other wonderful things we purchase in our lives if we forget these basics: prayer, scripture reading, church attendance, Family Home Evening, Temple attendance. And, oh, how these little things help! It is amazing the peace they bring, how they help us to be just a little bit better, help us have hope that we CAN be better, deal with challenges better, help there to be a more loving feeling in our home, help us have more balance in priorities, even help us to know ourselves better, and be happier.

More Peaceful things to choose from:

• Check out the Mormon Messages videos on Utube or the lds.org home page. The one entitled "Finding Hope" features a man who is a 9/11 survivor from the Twin Towers in New York. It is so reassuring. There are a lot of short videos to choose from.
• Read the Ensign, New Era, & Friend!!! These Church magazines are very familiar to many of you. Lately, we have been so impressed with the up-to-date content and counsel they include. In August and September's Ensigns, for instance, are articles about post-partum depression, internet gaming, beautiful artwork, how to keep workplace friendships from interfering with your marriage, what to do after High School, same sex attraction, how to pray so that you feel the heavens are truly open to you, the worth and value of women in the church, world and home, etc! In one New Era magazine recently, Bill pointed out a story with tears in his eyes. The girl in the article is in high school, and has a disability that keeps her in a power wheel chair. Even tho her disability is different than our grandaughter Heather's is, it reminded him that her possibilities are more and better than others might think. She can still be of service and have meaningful life experiences, even if she doesn't learn to walk. (Time will tell if walking is a possibility for Heather--it might be.) The stories and articles help teens feel not so alone in their challenges and joys. I love how the Friend magazine for children is also a great helper for parents and grandparents: modeling good answers to give, good resposes to help them learn for themselves. The stories are based on real-life experiences, and help children know for themselves gospel truths that help in everyday life. These magazines can be read for free on lds.org, or ordered at a really reasonable price.
• LDS General Women's Conference on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2009. (Check listings in your area for when it will be broadcast, or see it on BYUTV or lds.org on your computer.) This once-a-year, 2-hour meeting always lifts my spirits, helps me feel more worth, love, and hope no matter what is going on in my life, and is one of the best ways to spend 2 hours. And the things taught are for every woman, everywhere, no matter what your age, religion or circumstances.
• General Conference on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 3 and 4. These meetings are for everyone, and again, can be seen on lds.org or BYUTV, in LDS Stake Buildings with a satellite dish, or on your local TV channels. Bill and I make it a habit to mentally make lists of those things which we are praying for help or answers about, and pray that someone speaking in General Conference will speak about them. I testify that those prayers are answered every time. General Conference is held twice a year, in April, and October, and 2 sessions (meetings) are televised each day.

We know that many of you who view our blog already do these things---Good for you! It is a good reminder for us to make sure we get back on track in those areas we are slipping, and if it helps someone else, great. When I was visiting with family in Alabama, Bill and I had prayer together every night by phone. It was so comforting to have that reassuring tradition, hearing Bill ask for my safety and health and peace while I was away. Lots to be thankful for, yes we have.