drops in our lamps

i came across these shared pictures on the internet this week and was amazed by their relevance in todays world. we are surrounded on all sides by temptation and the beckoning of another path. it can be hard to choose to walk the strait and narrow when it seems like anything would be easier - and it probably would be! as president henry b. eyring said, "if you are on the right path, it will always be uphill."

president kimball said it perfectly when he spoke about adding oil to our lamps, we so desperately need to be prepared and ready for what will come. the past 18 months have spoken volumes to many about the importance of being prepared. so many were taken unawares by the pandemic that appeared seemingly out of nowhere last year, myself included. i had some things i needed, but not nearly enough... now i am certainly better prepared than before. we can always do more, but i am on the right track.

the most important thing, is to be ready - and mindful of others. showing kindness and sharing our love and what we have with others. kindness never goes astray. we need to be filling our oil drop by drop, so we can be ready when midnight finally comes. i am a great lover of being organised and prepared for anything, so i have always loved the parable of the 10 virgins. 

if you're not a member of our faith and you're wondering what i'm on about - you can read more about the 10 virgins here.

born of goodly parents

i have been trying so hard to make sure we read from our come follow me book and have a discussion each night. i know that the responsibility to teach our children about the gospel is now on us and i cannot and will not let the lord down. i was trying to think of something good to teach for our family home evening on monday and the words nephi said in the opening verse of the book of mormon came into my mind, "i nephi, having been born of goodly parents." having wonderful parents of my own, i have always loved those words and know that it is something important that he pointed out. 

so for family home evening tonight - i had joseph read the words aloud from 1st nephi 1:1

I, Nephi, having been born of goodly parents, therefore I was taught somewhat in all the learning of my father; and having seen many afflictions in the course of my days, nevertheless, having been highly favored of the Lord in all my days; yea, having had a great knowledge of the goodness and the mysteries of God, therefore I make a record of my proceedings in my days.

and then we talked about it. both we and our children were blessed with goodly parents who raised us in the gospel. to believe that god is real and hears our prayers - so that we could one day know for ourselves. we aren't so different from nephi. we have the same thing, both earthly and heavenly parents who are here to do what the hymn "i am a child of god"teaches us:

i am a child of god and he has sent me here

has given me an earthly home, with parents kind and dear

lead me, guide me, walk beside me, help me find the way

teach me all that i must do, to live with him someday.

and like it or not, we have something else the same as nephi. afflictions. because this life just wouldn't be what it is without them. maybe they are nothing like his, but we are certainly feeling some right now! my point was, having goodly parents, means we can turn to them in our times of need. like right now. i know the first person i call when i am upset is my mum! we are right here to talk to them and help when we can - but so is their heavenly father and they can talk to him any time they like too. i hope they will!

i did also find some wonderful advice on how to become goodly parents - so i'll leave it here, i am sure it will come in handy for me at some stage.

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our "afflictions" in this craziness continue...

schools are still open whilst practicing social distancing, we got the message sunday afternoon that dance classes were off... so i guess we just continue to watch and wait.