Faith & Action

After reading a fellow students comments this week, I was reminded that "Faith without works is dead".  This is something we have tried to teach our children   We must do our part and often that takes "action" from us.  When we have tried our best to do our part then the Lord, if it is His will, will pick up the rest.  

As I was studying this topic, I read that faith is an action word.  I really like this.  It struck me.  I'd never really thought of faith as an action word.  It is more than a passive belief. We express our faith by the way we live our lives and through our actions.  In the scriptures we read that if we have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, we can have the power to do "whatsoever thing is expedient" in Jesus Christ (Moroni 7:33).  When we have faith in the Savior, we are motivated to follow Him.  We strive to become more like Him.  We keep the commandments.  We repent.  We love our neighbor.  We serve.

There are so many fine examples in the scriptures of people who express their faith through their actions. For example, the story of the widow who is preparing to make her last meal for herself and her son is a wonderful example of faith and action.

As she is preparing to make their last meal with what little "meal and oil" she had left, Elijah approaches her....“Fear not,” he said to her, “but make me thereof a little cake first, and bring it unto me, and after make for thee and for thy son.”  She didn't know who he was.  She graciously went and did.  Her faith and action blessed her tremendously both physically and spiritually.

I love this time of year because I think this is when you see faith in action and people at their finest.  People are kinder.  Charity seems to be more abundant.  People love.  People serve.  People tend to be on their best behavior...Not because Santa is making a list and checking it twice, but because they genuinely want to do good...to be good...to be more Christlike. I wonder what the world would be like if we treated every day like it was Christmas?

A Positive Attitude Goes A Long Way...

“So much in life depends on our attitude. The way we choose to see things and respond to others makes all the difference. To do the best we can and then to CHOOSE TO BE HAPPY about our circumstances, whatever they may be, can bring peace and contentment. … We can’t direct the wind, but we can adjust the sails. For maximum happiness, peace, and contentment, may we CHOOSE a positive attitude.” (President Thomas S. Monson, “Living the Abundant Life,” Ensign, Jan. 2012).

I believe this.  WE CHOOSE TO BE HAPPY OR SAD.  I tell my children this often. 

Recently, I made the decision to work on the Christlike Attribute of Virtue...particularly working on a more positive attitude.  I felt like it was something I needed to work on because it would benefit not just me, but also those around me including my family and those that I work with at church and in a social setting.

It has proved to be a bit more difficult than I had though it would be however, I'm learning so much more than just being positive.  I am learning the importance of showing empathy, kindness, and love for others.  I am learning how easy it is to pass judgement and though it may feel perfectly justifiable, how damaging and hurtful it can be to others as well as ourselves. 

This last week I really struggled with living the Christlike Attribute I picked and even found myself wishing I had picked something else to work on because it was easier to revert back to old habits.  Being positive in the middle of all of the negative that I was experiencing this was more than I wanted to deal with.  At one point, I found myself whispering a handful of silent prayers in my head just to get through the day with a smile on my kisser!  But...you know what?  It worked!  

The most important thing I probably learned this week is that Heavenly Father wants to see us succeed at our goals!!!  He truly is there for us.  What is important to us is important to Him too.  Those simple, silent prayers, He heard.  The circumstances didn't change necessarily, but my attitude about them did!  And...when my attitude changed, I was able to recognized the tender mercies that were all around me.  

I feel so blessed and loved.  How grateful I am for the things that I am learning and how all of the things that I am learning, in some strange way, come together.  

Patience

It seems to me that whenever I make a goal/plan, I am suddenly faced with some sort of adversity that might keep me from succeeding at that goal/plan.  Why?  

In the last two weeks, I've experienced some trials that have really stretched me.  Amongst the trials though, I've experienced some very tender mercies.  However, I'm not sure that I would have recognized the tender mercies had I not first read this scripture in Romans followed by a few quotes from Elder Uchtdorf and President Monson.

Romans 5:3-5

3 And not only so, but we glory in ^atribulations also: knowing that ^btribulation worketh ^cpatience;

4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:

5 And ^ahope maketh not ashamed; because the ^blove of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. 

This scripture say's to me, through trials we can gain patience, knowledge and hope. 

While at a Stake Auxillary Training meeting on Thursday evening, I heard another friend say this very same thing.  Although this scripture is one that I posted earlier this week on a discusion board, somehow when she said it, it struck me even more.  Truly, it is when we go through trials that we really do stretch, grow, gain patience, knowledge and hope.

President Monson said, "Life is full of difficulties. Some are minor and others are major. There seems to be an unending supply of challenges for one and all. Our problem is that we often expect instantaneous solutions to such challenges, forgetting that frequently the heavenly virtue of patience is required."

My youngest son sometimes tests my patience.  This year he has struggled quite a bit in his 6th grade class and so I have been in to visit with his teacher a number of times already.  (I believe his struggle has more to do with his lack of desire to work).  Because of  his struggle, I have had to spend quite a few hours at home helping him prepare for his class each day.  This has really tested my patience and even caused me to have a poor attitude toward him.  I know that this is NOT the way Heavenly Father would want me to handle this situation.  I know that He would have me handle things very differently than I have.  This is partly why I choose to work specifically with this son. 

Through this trial, I really am learning to have patience with him.  I have found myself speaking differently to him.  I have found myself yelling less and trying to communicate more positivly.  Over the last week, his teacher pulled me aside twice to let me know he is making improvements.  Twice now I have walked in on him saying his personal prayers.  I know that these are the tender mercies the Lord knew I needed to see this week to let me know how important it is for me to "fix" this issue with my young son. 

"Patience - the ability to put our desires on hold for a time-is a precious and rare virtue. We want what we want, and we want it now. Therefore, the very idea of patience may seem unpleasant and, at times, bitter. Nevertheless, without patience, we cannot please God; we cannot become perfect. Indeed, patience is a purifying process that refines understanding, deepens happiness, focuses action, and offers hope for peace." Dieter F. Uchtdorf

The Woman in Pants

I read a post today from a woman in my religious class who shared the following verses from 1 Corinthians 4:3-5.  "But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man's judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self.⁴ For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.⁵ Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God."  She then asked the question, "How do you help yourself view others as fellow children of God?"

I think we have all probably had experiences where we have judged another or have been judged at some point in our lives.  I believe as we try to view others as children of God, it helps us to be more kind and less judgmental. 

A number of years ago, I had an experience that left a profound mark on my heart and mind.  One that I will never forget.

Our family had recently moved to a small town in New Mexico. Our ward was a rather large ward however, very few members ever came.  In fact it wasn't uncommon to fill only half of the chapel, so it wasn't hard to miss a new face.

Every now and again, there was a woman who would show up at the church house during sacrament meeting with a couple of small children.  She was a small framed, woman with extremely long hair who appeared to have lived a long hard life of possible drug and alcohol abuse, amongst other things.  Occasionally an older, heavy set, woman in a wheel chair would accompany her.  I assumed it was her mother. Most Sunday's (when she did come to church) this slender young woman would show up in a pair of, what appeared to be, her nicest pants and most Sunday's she and her company sat in the Foyer. Often the children would run unruly around the foyer and down the hall. 

 Since I had 7 busy children (some of them rather young still) it wasn't uncommon for me to spend a few moments in the foyer or the small room at the end of the church hall, dedicated for nursing mothers or mothers of small children.  One particular Sunday, as I entered the 'mothers room' to feed my screaming infant, I noticed this woman standing in the corner alone.  She was fishing quietly in her purse for something.  My initial thought was, "She's come to be alone in a warm, quiet place to get a 'quick fix'". I was appalled!  I couldn't believe someone would be so bold to do such a thing in the Lord's house. 

I didn't want to be noisy.  It bothered me that this woman was in the 'mothers room' alone standing in the corner being so sneaky.  I quietly sat down in one of the comfy, swivel chairs, covered up with a blanket, and began feeding my tiny babe with my back to her.  

She noticed I was there and I am certain she probably wondered what I was thinking, but she continued to quietly fish in her bag.  

Neither of us said a word.  In fact, it was very quiet for quite some time.  I wondered if she was as uncomfortable as I was?  

After some time, I slowly turned enough in the chair that I could see out of the corner of my eye what exactly she was doing.

One by one she counted out coins.  Some of them dimes, some of them quarters, some of them nickels and some of them pennies.  

She had been fishing in her bag for what little money she had to pay her tithing.  It was obviously difficult for her.  She kept her back to me and continued.  Did she know that I was watching?

Immediately I was overtaken by a wave of shame and sadness.  I had wrongfully judged this woman! Someone who had come to church to partake of the healing power the sacrament offered.  Someone who was trying her best.  Someone who was being obedient.  Someone who was being faithful.

It was at that moment I felt the spirit gently remind me..."Remember the Widow and her two small Mites?" followed by the tender reminder,  "She is mine too!"

How could I have been so shallow and narrow minded?  Why did I fail to see her as a Child of God? 

6 years later...

Recently, we had the Sister Missionaries over for dinner.  After they ate, they left us with a brief, uplifting message as they always do.  This certain occasion, they asked my (now older) children, "How do you show love to all of your neighbors...even the ones that you don't know very well or who might be mean?" One of the Sisters followed with this remark, "When someone offends me, I remind myself, 'He or she is a child of God too.'"

I believe this is the answer to so many problems that plague society. We are asked to "Love one another" and to treat them as children of God.

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf said, “God does not look on the outward appearance. I believe that He doesn’t care one bit if we live in a castle or a cottage, if we are handsome or homely, if we are famous or forgotten. Though we are incomplete, God loves us completely. Though we are imperfect, He loves us perfectly. Though we may feel lost and without compass, God’s love encompasses us completely...He loves us because He is filled with an infinite measure of holy, pure, and indescribable love. We are important to God not because of our résumé but because we are His children. He loves every one of us” (“The Love of God,” Oct. 2009 ).

I will never forget this lovely woman who taught me, without ever saying a word, the importance of not judging one another, that we are ALL children of God and he loves ALL of us immensely. 

A Baptism and Homecoming

I have been trying, for months, to find the time to write again.  I've come to the sad conclusion that time is passing all too quickly.  It will not wait for me.  It will not slow down.  It will not halt while I "try to find the time" to write in my journal.  I've been prompted repeatedly to jot even just a few lines down and have ignored the prompting more times than I care to admit.




Last Monday, I came across a video that triggered a memory.  A tender sweet memory that I had written about in my journal here on this blog.  I went searching for it and while searching, came across a number of other sweet memories...some of which I had completely forgotten about. At that time, I determined that if I didn't start writing some of the events that are currently taking place in my life and my families lives, they will soon be forgotten and there will be nothing to remind us of the wonderful moments that Heavenly Father has blessed us with!   Moments, that anymore seem fleeting.  There is so much turmoil and sadness in this world right now.






Part of the reason I started this blog was for therapeutic reasons.  Writing my thoughts somehow helped me get through the heartache that I was experiencing in my life at that particular time. I found as I would write, that I would often share my testimony.  By sharing my testimony of the things that I had come to know, from the trials that I was both troubled with and blessed to  have experienced, I recognized that my perspective changed.  I was able to see so many tender mercies and miracles.  And, I didn't have to look very far to find them.






I've learned so much.  I have experienced so much.  I have been blessed with so much.






In the last few years, I've not written much and yet so much has happened...some so wonderful...some not so wonderful!






I plan on sharing those things, but I think for now I will start with the moment I'm currently in.

My youngest son Winston was baptized a couple of weekends ago by his older brother Wesley.  It was such a special experience to see my eldest son help his younger brother preform such an important ordinance.  I hope that it's a day they both will treasure for many years to come.  As I sat and thought about these two boys and the moment that they shared together, I was allowed for a brief moment to see a glimpse of Heaven.  Our relationships with each other here on this earth didn't just happen. We knew each other before we came to this earth.  I believe that we had relationships on the other side...long before we came to this mortal realm. I could feel Waylon there and I sensed that he would congratulate Winston for making such an important covenant with Heavenly Father...just like each of his other siblings did. I feel very blessed to have the family that I have...each and every one of them.   What a joy it is to know that I can be with each of them forever. 

After Winston's baptism, we returned home and celebrated with Grandma and Grandpa Ulrich, the Stucki family, the Long family, the Wheat family, and the Jackson family.  Ed smoked about 30 lbs. of beef and made a potato salad amongst other salads.  YUM!  It was nice to relax and spend some time with each of them.  We have a very supportive ward family which has made this move to Idaho so much sweeter!  We love it here and love our little ward!  We really like being close to some family again too!  Family is the BEST!  It has made this move much easier knowing that we don't have to travel 6-8 hours to visit family! 

After our guest left, we started another "party".  Wyatt invited about 3 other couples over for their Homecoming "day date" and dinner.  They each made their own personal pizza's  on our out-door pizza stone and had ice cream sundae's for dessert.  It was fun to watch these young men and young women enjoy each other's company....and a little weird too!  How did I get this old this fast???

It was such a lovely day!  From start to finish!

It's time again...

December 6, 2012

It's time that I start posting some thoughts again...for I have many... and so much to be thankful for.

The last few months have been so busy that I found myself wrapped up in the craziness of packing, moving, trying to enjoy the holidays and Dr. appts...amongst the everyday things that still have to be done.  How does a mother do it all?

Since my dad passed away in July, so much has taken place in our home.

In August, Ed received a phone call from a company in regards to a job that he had applied for-let me back up-he'd received numerous replies from many companies in which he had applied, but the replies were always the same..."Thank you for your interest in our company...but we have filled the position that you have applied for...".  He was becoming very discouraged. But, August's phone call brought a sigh of relief and a mixture of emotions...for all of us!

The prettier part of our drive to and from school.

First a phone interview....then a 4 hour drive to Farmington, New Mexico for a person to person interview.  He was so excited!  I got to tag along for the drive and for the tour around Farmington.  It was, to my surprise, much like parts of Taylor AZ (and some like that of   HOL(E)brook! Need I say more?!)


The view from my driveway.

 

September 7 is my dad's birthday.  It was also the day that Ed received an offer from this company in NM.  Sometimes I wonder if my dad helped push things along from the "other side"....

That was a Friday that he received the offer...to my surprise I was a little sad and excited at the same time!  Sad because I knew what it meant and yet excited... because I knew what it meant.  It would mean leaving a place that we loved so very much.  All of our dear friends, and that blessed little town that we called home for the past 6-7 years.  We love Taylor.  Some of our fondest memories are there...some of the most spiritual things happened to us there.  Life in Taylor AZ was GOOD!

We decided to travel to the Valley to spend some time with my mother after the interview that weekend.  We discussed the new job and what it would mean for us, where it would take us, etc.  We, although a little nervous about the new changes and the fact that it would be a temporary job (it was presented as a contract job for 16 months), were excited for a change.  This change would allow Ed additional education and experience in the field he'd picked...thus making it a little easier to say "yes" to the offer! It would give us an opportunity to save a little (or so we thought) and an opportunity to try some new things!  It would present many firsts for of us too...The first time living in another state.
The first time working for a huge organization.  The first time leaving ALL of our family more than a few hours away (this first was also the source of a lot of anxiety for me).  I worried about leaving my mother since it had only been a few months since my dad's passing. I so wanted to be there for her and all of the first she would experience too.  It broke my heart thinking about it...and still does.
 
Later that evening (Saturday) while Ed and Wes (my brother-in-law) went to pick up wings and pizza for dinner, my mother and I got on the LDS church website and located bishops in the Farmington area.  Our intent was to ask about ward boundaries, schools, etc.  Of the 6 or so bishops that we called, only one answered (I'm sure they were probably all out on dates  with their sweethearts being a Saturday night and all).  Anyway...this is where this story gets better...

The last bishop, who's number I dialed, answered the phone. I told him who I was and that my husband and I where considering a job offer with a local company in the Farmington area and that I was hoping  he could help me out with some simple details about the area.  He then asked..."Are you related to Ed Ulrich?"  I told him that I was and that he was my husband.  He responded, "I can't really help you. It is a conflict of interest for me to do so."  I was a little surprised and didn't quite understand.  You see, this bishop just happened to be one of individuals that interviewed Ed for the job which he was trying to decide whether or not he should except.  To say that I was a little shocked would be and understatement.  How in the world, of the 55,0000 people in the Farmington NM area, could I have possibly picked the one telephone number, for the one man, that just happened to be in on the interviewing process?  All I could do was cry.  Does Heavenly Father hear and answer prayers?  Most certainly he does.  And sometimes His answers are so fine tuned, one can't deny the answer. 

When things get tough...and trust me they do....I am often reminded of this experience and just how important we are to our Heavenly Father.  He wants us to trust him.  He wants us to know just how much He loves and knows us as individuals. 

He knew how important it was to Ed and I to make the right decision for our little family.  He knew that we needed this answer.  He knew that we would need to be reminded of it too in the days to come...

"If it was right when you prayed about it and trusted it and lived for it, it is right now.  Don't give up when the pressure mounts.  You can find an apartment.  You can win over your mother-in-law.  You can sell your harmonica and therein fund one more meal.  It's been done before.  Don't give in.  Certainly don't give in to that being who is bent on the destruction of your happiness.  He wants everyone to be miserable like unto himself.  Face your doubts.  Master your fears. 'Cast not away therefore your confidence.' Stay the course and see the beauty of life unfold for you."  Elder Jeffery R. Holland (Cast Not Away Therefore Your Confidence, BYU Devotional, March 2, 1999).

I found this quote a few months ago...about the same time I was struggling with the idea of being here.  It put a smile of my face.  It took me back to that Saturday evening last September, when I found myself sitting on my parents bed dialing phone numbers of the different Farmington Bishops.  It reminded me that we did pray about this and we did get an answer. 

So here we are.

Aztec New Mexico.

 

It is a pretty place...geographically speaking.  There is a river that runs through town and its lined with lots of deciduous trees.  When summer is at its peek and when fall is in full force, it is particularly pretty!  I particularly like the drive towards Durango CO.

The deer come visit on a daily basis.  Most of the time they can be found across the creek just on the other side of our driveway.

This can be a regular thing...when Maggie & the neighbors dog aren't chasing them!

 

 

Our backyard.  My very favorite part about this house.  I LOVE all the Maple trees!

 

As for the people...it's a different world.  Not a bad thing.  Just different.  We have met many good people and made some very good friends here.  After living though, in a "Mormon" community, where the church is strong and standards are high, it's a very difficult thing to be- what feels like- "the lone man standing"!  The activity rate here is small.  Those Latter Day Saints that we have met are wonderful.  Many of them are converts within the last 10 years.  They are amongst some of the best people I've ever met.  Their testimonies are strong and they are truly converted in the gospel of our Savior Jesus Christ. 
On the opposite side of the spectrum though, there are those whom make it very difficult to "want" to be here. Standards are...well...lacking... to say the least.  Their ambition to become the best they can be is completely different than what we strive for.  Where we strive to follow God's plan for us, they, whether because they don't know or because they don't, care strive to follow the worlds plan. 

On the kids first day of school here we sat them down at dinner time and quizzed them about their day.  Each had a chance to respond about how their day went and what they did.  One by one they told us something about their day...
Wesley..."Everyone smokes there...."
Will..."Everyone says the "F" word and they have piercings everywhere!"
Wylee..."Yea...everyone says bad words!"
Wyatt..."I got asked out by two different girls today!"

Ugh...my plans of keeping them from the world was slowly slipping away.  Although, I knew that I couldn't keep them from the world forever, I had hoped that I could spare them from it for a while longer.

We are out of our safety net that's for sure!  We have blindly stepped into this leaning 100% on Heavenly Father to guide us!  We live by faith.  We know that we are doing what He would want us to do now we continue to survive knowing that He will continue to provide what we need as long as we continue to do our part!

So...here we are...Aztec, NM.

WE ARE BLESSED!