***Service***(I probably should have put others experiences, and more scriptures etc.. but they only wanted it to be around 10 min for all the presidency + the girls to sing there camp song)
I am so glad and happy that I have got called to young womens! It has been such a blast! I have really enjoyed the Wednesday night activities, and I am really inspired each Sunday by the spirit which each girl brings and contributes to class. I feel like I get to relive my young women years, and the girls have all been so nice and welcoming! I remember my first Sunday, I kept giving everyone the wrong roles and everyone just smiled and told me it was okay! So I appreciate the patience.
Today instead of the girls teaching me something, I hope I can invite the spirit to be here and inspire and teach you all.
So The topic at hand is Service, which is a absolute treat! Service really actually is such a great value to have and to learn. It makes you happy. It makes you feel like you have accomplished something and made a contribution. What is the happiest time of the year? Christmas! Its becuase our hearts go out to those in need, and really help and build up one another. So be really excited thats what we get to talk about it, because it's something we can all do and apply and it helps grow.
So as I thought about what I could say and how I could reach out to everyone, My mind kept going back to time when I didn't have a testimony of Service. This was only a couple of years ago. I remember that time in my life vividly, because at that time, I had some issues being worked out. . It was just after High school, All my school friends were now in college, I was newly wed, and My husband was my only source of friendship. He often times would have friends come over, or go out. His friends lived closer so it made it easier for him. I was alone. All alone. I had no one to share anything with. Good news or bad news. I tried to make the best of what I had I would tell myself that things weren't so horrible. I worked 40 hours a week, went to the gym and didn't have much time for anyone else anyways. I would tell my self that seeing friends wasn't that important.
This way of thinking only lasted so long until things really down spiraled. I don't exactly know how or why but I became emotionally depressed and I turned into a completely different person. I really can say, I didn't recognize this girl that I had become. I was socially awkward. I was shy and timid. I forgot how to talk to people, and being in large groups or getting together with anyone was a struggle for me. I literally had anxiety attacks at any holiday or get together even to be around family. I lost my desire to see people. I forgot how to be happy. I was afraid of everything, I didn't treat my body very well at this time. I ate too little and exercised too much. My body was exhausted and deprived of nourishment. I dont want to sound too overly dramatic, but I was miserable. I had hard things happen to me when I was young, My dad passed away, and I had to go to a different school, and yet.. This time in my life was the most difficult time i had ever experienced.
The one good thing I did during this time, was I never forgot to say my prayers or read my scriptures. I made it a priority. In fact, its the one thing that I think kept me with some hope. Hope that one day, this would be over, and I could go back to being myself. Each night, I would read and pray and wait for a answer. It felt no answer was given so I stopped asking for things to change, and to just asked for comfort for to get through the things going on in my life. That helped me a lot, even though I didn't have support of friends, I did have my Heavenly Father who let me knew he loved me. I was not alone after all. Things were still incredibly hard for me. Things had not changed, except for the fact that I knew and could feel that love when I prayed.
I wanted more than just comfort though, I wanted a way out of this dark hole that I dug for myself. As selfish as that might sound, its the truth. I wanted to find a resolve. I never asked Heavenly Father to solve them for me, but to help me find them myself. I still didn't feel I was getting much of a response until One day at work, the pain was so unbearable I just couldn't think about myself anymore. I forced my focus on something different, something else, SOMEONE ELSE! and then a light bulb turned in my head. Or rather the spirit made it known this is what Heavenly Father wanted me to do all along. He wanted me to forget myself, and concentrate on different aspect of life, someone else's life! I was excited for my new challenge and I actually did feel some what happy that day. I had something to look forward to.
As I mentioned before, I had changed socially. It was difficult for me to say things, or do things for someone else. I got discouraged at first, but then i decided that just like any goal in life.. I must start out small. I think my first goal was just to say hi to several people at the gym. Just say hi. Thats not service is it? It is service! and It was for me at that time. I remembering saying Hi to a guy named Ryan, and a lady named Ginnie. When I said Hi, they smiled, waved and said Hi back. I don't know what I was expecting, but it startled me. I guess I just figured they would have kept to themselves and have nothing to do with me, but they were friendly. At that made me in turn smile.
Week by week, I made goals to do different tasks for people. Small tasks, Mostly just calling, giving cards, letters, putting someones name in the temple, or praying for someone, and gradually something started to happen. I started to find who I was again.
I relearned basic skills again, like how to talk to people, how to smile, and how to laugh. I remember the first time laughing again. It felt SOO good. This made me happy I continued to search for people to come in contact with and to serve. Time kept passing and I kept working on personal goals and eventually I met amazing people who in turn served me and touched my life and became my friend. I didn't let age, race, or differences stop me from talking to them, and now I have friends in a number of places. My two best friends happen to be about 8 years older then me, and I feel lucky to have them and give advice on the things I am dealing with now.
I still try incorporate as much service as I can in my life. When I don't have a lot to keep busy, or if I start to feel depressed. I make a goal to go babysit, cheer a friend up, give James a back rub, and then I do it.
Recently. I have come to find that my little acts of service actually HAVE helped. Not just me, but others! Friends have told me that I have made a difference tin their own life, They have said that. The have written messages to me on facebook saying “Thank you for making time for me, I really needed that” Others have texted, called and even publicly thanked me on their blog, for the small and simple acts of kindness. Doing something small can go a long way. The little things matter and they make a difference. We never know what people are going through and what people may need. We were sent on this earth with millions of people, and the reason we were sent here together is to learn how to love and serve one another. We could be tested alone, but Heavenly Father wants us to be happy, and he wants us to have friends, and Family.
Elder Deiter F Uchdorf states: "Love is what inspired our Heavenly Father to create our spirits; it is what led our Savior to the Garden of Gethsemane to make Himself a ransom for our sins. Love is the grand motive of the plan of salvation; it is the source of happiness, the ever-renewing spring of healing, the precious fountain of hope. As we extend our hands and hearts toward others in Christlike love, something wonderful happens to us. Our own spirits become healed, more refined, and stronger. We become happier, more peaceful, and more receptive to the whisperings of the Holy Spirit."
Today instead of the girls teaching me something, I hope I can invite the spirit to be here and inspire and teach you all.
So The topic at hand is Service, which is a absolute treat! Service really actually is such a great value to have and to learn. It makes you happy. It makes you feel like you have accomplished something and made a contribution. What is the happiest time of the year? Christmas! Its becuase our hearts go out to those in need, and really help and build up one another. So be really excited thats what we get to talk about it, because it's something we can all do and apply and it helps grow.
So as I thought about what I could say and how I could reach out to everyone, My mind kept going back to time when I didn't have a testimony of Service. This was only a couple of years ago. I remember that time in my life vividly, because at that time, I had some issues being worked out. . It was just after High school, All my school friends were now in college, I was newly wed, and My husband was my only source of friendship. He often times would have friends come over, or go out. His friends lived closer so it made it easier for him. I was alone. All alone. I had no one to share anything with. Good news or bad news. I tried to make the best of what I had I would tell myself that things weren't so horrible. I worked 40 hours a week, went to the gym and didn't have much time for anyone else anyways. I would tell my self that seeing friends wasn't that important.
This way of thinking only lasted so long until things really down spiraled. I don't exactly know how or why but I became emotionally depressed and I turned into a completely different person. I really can say, I didn't recognize this girl that I had become. I was socially awkward. I was shy and timid. I forgot how to talk to people, and being in large groups or getting together with anyone was a struggle for me. I literally had anxiety attacks at any holiday or get together even to be around family. I lost my desire to see people. I forgot how to be happy. I was afraid of everything, I didn't treat my body very well at this time. I ate too little and exercised too much. My body was exhausted and deprived of nourishment. I dont want to sound too overly dramatic, but I was miserable. I had hard things happen to me when I was young, My dad passed away, and I had to go to a different school, and yet.. This time in my life was the most difficult time i had ever experienced.
The one good thing I did during this time, was I never forgot to say my prayers or read my scriptures. I made it a priority. In fact, its the one thing that I think kept me with some hope. Hope that one day, this would be over, and I could go back to being myself. Each night, I would read and pray and wait for a answer. It felt no answer was given so I stopped asking for things to change, and to just asked for comfort for to get through the things going on in my life. That helped me a lot, even though I didn't have support of friends, I did have my Heavenly Father who let me knew he loved me. I was not alone after all. Things were still incredibly hard for me. Things had not changed, except for the fact that I knew and could feel that love when I prayed.
I wanted more than just comfort though, I wanted a way out of this dark hole that I dug for myself. As selfish as that might sound, its the truth. I wanted to find a resolve. I never asked Heavenly Father to solve them for me, but to help me find them myself. I still didn't feel I was getting much of a response until One day at work, the pain was so unbearable I just couldn't think about myself anymore. I forced my focus on something different, something else, SOMEONE ELSE! and then a light bulb turned in my head. Or rather the spirit made it known this is what Heavenly Father wanted me to do all along. He wanted me to forget myself, and concentrate on different aspect of life, someone else's life! I was excited for my new challenge and I actually did feel some what happy that day. I had something to look forward to.
As I mentioned before, I had changed socially. It was difficult for me to say things, or do things for someone else. I got discouraged at first, but then i decided that just like any goal in life.. I must start out small. I think my first goal was just to say hi to several people at the gym. Just say hi. Thats not service is it? It is service! and It was for me at that time. I remembering saying Hi to a guy named Ryan, and a lady named Ginnie. When I said Hi, they smiled, waved and said Hi back. I don't know what I was expecting, but it startled me. I guess I just figured they would have kept to themselves and have nothing to do with me, but they were friendly. At that made me in turn smile.
Week by week, I made goals to do different tasks for people. Small tasks, Mostly just calling, giving cards, letters, putting someones name in the temple, or praying for someone, and gradually something started to happen. I started to find who I was again.
I relearned basic skills again, like how to talk to people, how to smile, and how to laugh. I remember the first time laughing again. It felt SOO good. This made me happy I continued to search for people to come in contact with and to serve. Time kept passing and I kept working on personal goals and eventually I met amazing people who in turn served me and touched my life and became my friend. I didn't let age, race, or differences stop me from talking to them, and now I have friends in a number of places. My two best friends happen to be about 8 years older then me, and I feel lucky to have them and give advice on the things I am dealing with now.
I still try incorporate as much service as I can in my life. When I don't have a lot to keep busy, or if I start to feel depressed. I make a goal to go babysit, cheer a friend up, give James a back rub, and then I do it.
Recently. I have come to find that my little acts of service actually HAVE helped. Not just me, but others! Friends have told me that I have made a difference tin their own life, They have said that. The have written messages to me on facebook saying “Thank you for making time for me, I really needed that” Others have texted, called and even publicly thanked me on their blog, for the small and simple acts of kindness. Doing something small can go a long way. The little things matter and they make a difference. We never know what people are going through and what people may need. We were sent on this earth with millions of people, and the reason we were sent here together is to learn how to love and serve one another. We could be tested alone, but Heavenly Father wants us to be happy, and he wants us to have friends, and Family.
Elder Deiter F Uchdorf states: "Love is what inspired our Heavenly Father to create our spirits; it is what led our Savior to the Garden of Gethsemane to make Himself a ransom for our sins. Love is the grand motive of the plan of salvation; it is the source of happiness, the ever-renewing spring of healing, the precious fountain of hope. As we extend our hands and hearts toward others in Christlike love, something wonderful happens to us. Our own spirits become healed, more refined, and stronger. We become happier, more peaceful, and more receptive to the whisperings of the Holy Spirit."
I know that to be true. My entire perspective of the world and how I see things has changed. This is going to sound cheesey but I am reminded of the caterpillar, the plain and simple caterpillar. I was a caterpillar before, but I was transformed into a beautiful and wonderful butterfly, who not only is beautiful and happy, but is stronger and can spread her wings and fly. The Lord loved me enough to teach me a great lesson. The lesson I have heard many times by others but never really knew for myself until now. When you loose yourself in the service , you also come to find yourself and who you truly are- A divine daughter of God.
2 comments:
That was so so beautiful. I bet you caught the ears of all on Sunday.
You're the bestest friend I could have ever found.
Wow this is simply amazing! I can totally relate to everything you talk about in this. I have been in that place and it is awful. I too have found happiness in being unselfish and serving others. It is such a blessing to serve others.
Thank you for sharing and thank you for the comment on my blog. You made my entire day! We really must be friends. I don't have a lot of girlfriends and am not from SF so I've had a hard time meeting people. I am always quiet at the gym but everyone there is so nice once you get to know them. I would love to run with you too!
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