challenge
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Friday, December 2, 2011

cultivating a grateful heart

was it just me, or did the month of November pass by way too quickly. i felt like i missed the opportunity to really reflect on what I was truly grateful for. so...I am proposing a plan, that is to "cultivate a grateful heart."
"We owe an eternal debt of gratitude to all of those, past and present, who have given so much of themselves that we might have so much for ourselves. Take things with gratitude rather than for granted." 
--President Monson, "Doubt Not--Dear Not," BYU Commencement '03 
In the Book of Matthew in the Bible, there is an account of gratitude, as an expression of the Savior. As He traveled in the wilderness for 3 days, more than 4,000 people followed Him. Christ took compassion on them, as they probably hadn't eaten for those three days. (read Matthew15:32-38). Christ showed that gratitude always proceeds the miracle. And in my life, as I "try alittle harder, to be alittle better," I realized, that I want to make gratitude the pattern of my life. 


Some things to be grateful for....


:: be grateful to awake by the cry of a baby, because s/he's healthy, and depends on you to live.
:: be grateful for the clothes that fit too snug because it means you have enough food to eat.
:: be grateful for the monthly rent bill because it means you have a shelter from the storms.
:: be grateful for the mess after a party, because it means you were surrounded by friends
:: be grateful for the days that we physically suffer as women because it means we can have children
:: be grateful for laundry because it means you have more than enough clothes to wear. 
:: be grateful for the utility bill because that means you have a warm home, and light to see
:: be grateful for the parking spot furtherest away from the store, because it means you can walk.
:: be grateful for tuition because it means you get to earn an education
:: be grateful for the alarm that goes off in the early morning because that means you are alive.


must-read talks
"The Diving Gift of Gratitude" President Monson
"Think to Thank" President Monson
"An Attitude of Gratitude"


challenge: 
record 1000 things i'm grateful for in 6 months: end each day w/ 5 blessings in a journal
write 1-2 handwritten notes a week: this means cultivate a thankful heart and minister to others, we often to too much for granted, but how often do we take people for granted also.



Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Book of Mormon: BLITZ

3 Nephi 11--one of the very best chapters in the Book of Mormon

Ready. Set. Go. 
I set a goal at the beginning of the year that I would finish the Book of Mormon by graduation. 
Well, here I am one month away from graduation and I have half of the Book of Mormon left. 
I'm currently in Alma 30---fascinating Chapter about Korihor--the anti-Christ. He is definitely repersenting the world today and how they attack families, the divinity of the Godhead, and no faith whatsoever. 

Last night, I watched Sister Rosemary M. Wixom, again. And she shared a story of how a young man wanted to come to know if the Book of Mormon was true. He spent an hour each night reading the Book of Mormon, desiring to know for himself. 
I wanted to take this challenge to study the scriptures for an hour each day. I have a "unshaken" testimony that the Book of Mormon is true, but I will still read it with an objective in mind.
I have challenged of friend of mine, to study an hour each day until we finish the Book of Mormon. 
And as I have been studying, ideas come to me, "oh i want to re-read the Book of Mormon with this goal in mind, or looking for specific patters, or other such objectives. 
So....here I go. i MIGHT go on a Book of Mormon blitz to finish my second half in one week, just so that when we start reading for an hour a day, I can start again at the beginning. But, than I might not because I don't want to gloss over anything!

Luckily, it will be the best hour spent in my day, so this is probably the best challenge we can do!

Sunday, January 2, 2011

a new challenge

I've been inspired. 
I have a new challenge I'm up to.
Since most of my New Years Resolutions are kind of unpractical, I've decided to re-think my NYR and commit to something....unique.

I'm going to do a  365-Hymn-a-day Challenge.
I know, there are only 341 Hymns, but the last 20ish days will be playing Christmas Hymns over again.

Yesterday was: The Morning Breaks
today: The Spirit of God

Objective: capable of playing every hymn in the hymn book by the end of 2011.
{dress: Salvation Army--refashioned, Belt: Sal. Army, tights: K-mart, shoes: Salvation Army (see here)}

Happy Sunday. In case you have nothing to do tonight....and you live in Oregon
CHECK THIS OUT. So excited.

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Maira Gall