Hello! It's been years since I thought about this blog. I was never really good at this in the first place. The past week has made me consider many things again and allowed me to take a step back from my hectic life to consider what matters most.I had the opportunity to go to Lake Tahoe with a close friend because our trip to Europe had been cancelled because of Covid-19. It really was the best place we could have been. Heavenly Father knew that I needed a chance to unplug and away from the craziness. I had just been released from being Relief Society president, and the new presidency is going to be amazing. I'm just sorry it didn't come at an easier time for them. But, Heavenly Father knows what he's doing! Tahoe was so relaxing and so peaceful. The ski resorts shut down because of Covid and we kind of had the place to ourselves. We didn't go out much, except to get a walk/hike in and weren't around anyone, made meals at the AirBnb we were staying at and everything was just so simple. I had the chance to ponder, and learn from one of my best friends, Ruthann. We missed the earthquakes, both in Utah and Tahoe. I missed some super crazy things going on at work, and my paper got postponed for my Organizational Behavior and Human Resources class. Heavenly Father has blessed me so much and I couldn't be more grateful! If you are wondering how peaceful it was, take a look at these pictures! (I don't even have makeup on, and don't care one bit, that's how wonderful this trip was)!
This year President Nelson has encouraged us to #HearHim. I've pondered about the ways I've received revelation and how I can hear Him. I realize that I hear Him in brief instructions, promptings, and hear him most in the scriptures, especially in the Book of Mormon and Doctrine and Covenants. Especially the Doctrine and Covenants, and it may be because every section is something he has revealed to the prophets. I hear him through his servants the Prophets. It's what triggered me to start writing in this blog again. I realize that I need to focus on the most important things in my life. I need to consider the lilies again. That was my prompting when I considered the prophet's invitation to share and come up with a plan to help the gathering. Knowing that I'd be socially distanced from people during this time, I didn't quite know how I could have any plan to share the gospel. The thought came to consider the lilies. So here I am again. I am going to start posting my thoughts about the Savior, the plan of Happiness and the Holy Scriptures, the Temple, the priesthood, come follow me, basically anything that is so simple, but that I am so grateful for in my life, and that brings me so much peace. Full disclosure, I have anxiety and it's gotten worse over the years and I realized up in Tahoe, that my anxiety was gone when I focused on what I knew to be true, and in whom I trusted. The fears went away, as I knew I was prepared for the week, as my friend reminded me that we had enough food in the airbnb and didn't need to buy more canned goods, as I remembered what a great job I have and the home I have, the food storage I am prepared with, and the tiny bit of savings I had. Most importantly, I was still receiving revelation, which having the gift of the Holy Ghost has been such a treasure to me. Whenever I focused on the craziness that was happening on the outside world I could literally feel my chest tighten up, but, I felt peace when I returned to what mattered most and remembered that I had been prepared for such a time as this. Even if I do end up contracting the virus, I know Heavenly Father knows what's best for me. I know there are promises that still need to be fulfilled. So for now, this is my plan, to share the gospel through this blog and focus on the ways I am able to recognize the Lord's hand in my life. I felt so much peace because I could focus on my gratitude for my Savior, for my family, for the prophets, for living scripture, for the restoration of the priesthood and the fullness of the gospel, for my wonderful faithful friends. I am so grateful for the foundation of faith that has lit my path and guided me here. If any of you are concerned during this time, please turn to God. I promise that as you seek him and draw near unto Him, He will draw near unto you. You will have peace in Jesus Christ. If you need to know where you'll find him, you can find him in the Old and New Testaments, The Book of Mormon, The Doctrine and Covenants and the Pearl of Great Price. You can find Him in prayer. You can find Him in quiet moments when thoughts that are not your own come to your mind. You can find him in the smile of another social distancing friend, or the warm voice of a family member checking on you. You can find him in anything that is GOOD. He is the good shepherd. Anything that is good comes from God. Seek him. Hear Him!
With Love,
Risa
