Tuesday, February 26, 2013

I am not going to lie.  I am a Sunday School teacher to the 12 year olds in our LDS Ward.  For the month of March, we have been asked to teach the youth on the Atonement.  In the LDS faith, we believe that Christ suffered every infirmity in the Garden of Gethsemane that we could ever bear.  He did this because of his love for us.  He knew what his sacrifice would mean, and he suffered, he bled in that Garden, and he died, for our sins.  The perfect Savior, did this, to Save us, so that we may live with our Heavenly Father again, and that thru him, after we pass thru this life, we can become "perfected"  in him.  This could only happen, thru the Atonement.  Now, for my honesty, I struggle with mortal perfection.  It is a little OCD for me, and I am working hard to overcome this struggle.  It truly is a "daily" struggle for me, as I learn to let go and realize that nothing, is perfect.  Again, this is so hard for me.  I have struggled with perfection, most of my life, which I am finding out is not working for me.  I long for a perfect world, unfortunately, that is not happening, this world is actually becoming less and less perfect as the Savior's time is drawing closer.  So, as I reflect on this topic, what is it that I want these kids to learn about the most important aspect of the Gospel. 

I think that is what I want them to know-the Atonement, albeit, is sometimes so hard for us as 'mortals' to understand, it is the most important aspect of the Gospel.  The reason I feel it is the most important is because without it, every mistake I make would doom me to outer darkness because that is how imperfect I am.  Without the Atonement, on the days where I feel like I can't go on, that no one understands, I can turn to the One, the only One that has felt every pain in my heart, and "with his stripes" I can be healed. 

I truly do love the Savior.  Every day is a journey that I embark on getting to know him, a little bit better.  As I work with my children, in trying to teach my little ones all about choices, and consequences, as I learn to let go, and let the Lord actually guide my life, without trying to control it by myself, my load can be lightened because of his perfect sacrifice for me.

Saturday, February 16, 2013

I have been loving my calling.  I thought that I would struggle with my class because when they were in Primary I saw so many different personalities but I have to admit, I love each one of them.  It is awesome how the Lord does that, he opens your heart and helps you learn to love the little flaws of those you serve. 

The new Sunday School curriculum is amazing.  It truly is divine inspiration, and honestly, I am so grateful for the divine inspiration that he has given me as I prepare each lesson because, I on my own cannot teach these lessons. 

This week, I chose to teach these kids about Music.  I love Music and I know that it brings my heart closer to the Savior.  It changes my outlook on a daily basis.  It blesses me on some of my darkest days.  I LOVE MUSIC.  I play the piano, and honestly, I do want to become better at playing the piano.  Maybe another day, but for now, I can hold my own.  I also think it could become addictive to me and I would lose a lot of time at the piano. 

As I thought about my lesson, I remember the first hymn that I memorized on my own.  It is one of my favorites.  There is a green hill far away, without a city wall, where the Dear Lord was crucified, who died to save us all.  I can reflect on those words anywhere.  I am grateful for his sacrifice for me.  Another hymn that is one of my favorites.  I know that my Redeemer lives, what comfort this sweet sentence give, he lives, he lives who once was dead, he lives my ever living head.  Such a testimony in a song.  That when I have those times, where I just don't know where my testimony is, I can sing that song in my head and feel it in my heart and know that I do know that My Savior, Jesus Christ lives! 

There are so many ways in our lives that we can come to know the Savior.  He is there for us to know of, if we want to.