green gummies

Life has been really crazy around our home. I feel like I say that every time I post something on this blog...

Instead of getting Dave prepared for another semester at WSU with books, paper and G2 cartridges we got him packed for what we thought was going to be five weeks of military duties.  Lil P and I dropped him off at the airport last Monday for a week long Sharepoint training in AZ. While in AZ, Dave found out that he was needed at a career conference in Orlando, FL for a week at the end of October.  He was home by Friday from AZ, but left again Sunday morning for four weeks of Airman Leadership Training in TN. This four week training turned into five, which leaves him with almost one full day with lil P and I before he has to go to FL.
That is long, drawn out and confusing, but the end result leaves me with the following: almost three days with my sweet husband in over a months time and seven weeks as a military widow.
I really shouldn't complain, but I am feeling the "Wo is me" urges right now.

Even though our current living situation stinks like a dead family of skunks on a highway, we have been blessed. Thankfully we have the Internet, but most importantly: video chat.  This morning Dave was able to "watch" Peyton for me while I took a shower. This sounds totally ridiculous, but it was quite hilarious to listen to. He made all sorts of funny noises (and I am sure, faces) to get her to pay attention to him.
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When I was working on my Personal Progress for Young Women's I was extremely organized and dedicated to my scripture study, prayers and journal writing. As I have grown and busied my life with 'things' I have moved away from my good habits.  I have had a lot of impressions recently concerning the importance of these and I am really working hard to get my life back on track. 

CONCERNING PERSONAL SCRIPTURE STUDY
My sweet husband shared some of his thoughts about a scripture recently that I really  needed to hear. His thoughts were about 1 Nephi 8:24-28.  This chapter is talking about the vision Lehi had of the Tree of Life.

24 And it came to pass that I beheld others pressing forward, and they came forth and caught hold of the end of the rod of iron; and they did press forward through the mist of darkness, clinging to the rod of iron, even until they did come forth and partake of the fruit of the tree.
25 And after they had partaken of the fruit of the tree they did cast their eyes about as if they were ashamed.
26 And I also cast my eyes round about, and beheld, on the aother side of the river of water, a great and spacious building; and it stood as it were in the air, high above the earth.

27 And it was filled with people, both old and young, both male and female; and their manner of dress was exceedingly fine; and they were in the attitude of mocking and pointing their fingers towards those who had come at and were partaking of the fruit.

28 And after they had tasted of the fruit they were ashamed, because of those that were scoffing at them; and they fell away into forbidden paths and were lost.


As Dave was sharing his impressions about this scripture I kept thinking to myself, am I clinging? I had never noticed that verse 24 says, they were clinging. I didn't fully understand what this scripture was saying, I just felt that I shouldn't "cling".

I was suprised, but so, so grateful to find a message from Elder David A. Bednar on this very thing when I opened up my October 2011 Ensign.  Something that he states in his message really popped out to me in my personal life and with my scripture study. He says,

"It is significant that the second group pressed forward with faith and commitment. They also had the added blessing of the rod of iron, and they were clinging to it! However, as they were confronted with persecution and adversity, they fell away into forbidden paths and were lost. Even with faith, commitment, and the word of God, this group eventually was lost—perhaps because they only periodically read or studied or searched the scriptures. Clinging to the rod of iron suggests to me only occasional “bursts” of study or irregular dipping rather than consistent, ongoing immersion in the word of God."

The underlined parts are what really stood out to me.  I am one of this 'second group', but I sure don't want to be!!! 

I know that Heavenly Father has great blessings in store for me, but I have to be willing to do my part before he will reward me.  I am really pushing myself to get back in the habit. I can't risk losing everything by not 'continually holding fast to the rod of iron'.