My New Book

One of my Resolutions this year is to read more, especially doctrinal books. Since I am unable to go to Institute and Sunday School has turned into a joke with a baby that wants to be fed, I feel like I my spiritual bucket is not getting filled.

So my first book is "Life Lessons from the Book of Mormon". I found it in my parents library during the holidays, and felt impressed that this should be my first book. I was searching for a book, because while I am feeding the baby I get bored. 40 minutes of breastfeeding throughout the day is a long time, and there are only so many iphone games to keep me occupied (I have mastered all the Flow Bridges levels).

But back to the book. From the moment I opened it I couldn't put it down. I would recommend it to anyone wanting a good easy read doctrinal book. There have been so many different insights and teachings that I can not list all of them here. But I would like to share 2 that have stayed with me.

Overcoming Trials and Weakness
Awhile back, Eric and I were talking about our new little monster Q. I love him with all my heart, but recently I think he is more like Dr. Jekell and Mr. Hyde. He must be held all the time, he wont sleep in his own crib or bassinet and he likes to cry ALL THE TIME. He is my new trial. Who would have thought a baby could be a trial. I thought my trial was going to be getting pregnant and staying pregnant, which it was, but it now is Q.
Elder Henry D. Moyle stated that " We unquestionably knew before we elected to come to this earth the conditions under which we would here exist." Pres. Joseph F. Smith wrote "I believe that our Savior... possess a foreknowledge of all the vicissitudes through which he would have to pass in the mortal tabernacle... If Christ knew before hand, so did we. but it coming here, we forgot all, that our agency might be free indeed, to choose good or evil."  I thought back on all the trials I had in my life, and thought it interesting that i would have known about them before hand! I look at my current trials that I have and now apply these 2 quotes, I knew I would have a difficult baby, I knew I would be living in a State that I dont love, with a Body that breaks on my constantly! These quotes have totally changed how I will face this trial and all others in my life. I knew about them and still chose to come to earth. My favorite quote, and truly the one that has made the most impact on me, concerning my trials is from Neal A. Maxwell "God, who knows our capacity perfectly, placed us here to succeed. No one was foreordained to fail or to be wicked... Let us remember that we were measured before and we were found equal to our tasks; and therefore... when we feel overwhelmed, let us recall with assurance that God will not overprogram us; he will not press upon us more than we can bear." I have always been taught that you will not be given more then you can handle, but I love how Elder Maxwell puts it! How much more strength do I have now?! I can look at my adorable trial and say to myself, "I knew I was going to have a difficult baby, AND I know that I can handle this! I feel as if I have been given a little shot in the arm! Now when a new trial comes my way instead of saying "Why me!?" Or suffering through, I feel like I can now hit it head on, and say to myself, I picked this, and I can beat this, with the Lord on m side I can do anything!

I couldn't help posting this picture- I gave him a mohawk.