We Have Grown

"...this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God..."

This is my purpose, and at times it scares me a little.  I know I have grown, but I feel like I have so much growth to go.  For me at least sometimes life just seems to much or just can't quite hack it.  I feel like my change is not enough.  I feel far from where I should be, and no where near being able to be in the presence of God.  Then I take a second and think....Does God want me back?

Then the spirit smacks me in the head, or softly touches my heart and reassures me, of course He does.  Life is the time for growth, to often we all are too hard on ourselves, I think.  Growth takes time and patience, it is so easy for us to see the change in others, but as we look inward the change is rather hard to see. 

As I move forward I make it a goal to recognize the change in myself, not in a prideful manner or anything, but to see where I was and how far I have come.  " I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things..."  Growth is not easy, and forces me to step out of my comfort zone and stretch, but I know with the help of God a servant as weak as me, can be a valuable tool.

I have noticed one down fall to this chance to grow.  I expect others to have to change and grow as I am.  Looks like pride creepin' in.  My life is mine, and the changes I go through are lessons I need to learn.  Sometimes I think we think how unfair...why me...they should have to do this...

I know I have at least thought this at times.  God gives us the chance to change and grow not just for ourselves, but so we can be a more useful tool in His hands to help others.

On Sunday this topic came up.  (Us growing and then expecting others to do the same)  We read from a talk called " You Are My Hands "  the talk in a nutshell is, we are Christ hands.  He works by way of using us to help others.  We talked about how we need to help all, no matter if they are on the same page as us or not.  That is not our place to judge.  The growth rate of another is not up to us to measure!

The Gospel allows us all to grow.  Our part in that growth is to stay humble and help others on their way.  Recognize where we, ourselves have grow, stay humble, and continue on with a heart filled with joy, knowing that this growing period is, because God loves us!  We have Grown!



One Proud Uncle

A little over a week ago, God blessed my family with a baby!  My older sister, had a baby boy, his name is Tate. (or as I like to call him TateBabe)  My mom and all my siblings had sent me emails telling me the good news, with a few pictures.

As I read through the emails, and looked at the pictures of my new nephew I was caught in one of those "unreal moments."  My mind was just paused, in amazement for a few moments.  Then it shot into fast forward!  I was picturing my nephew growing and learning.  Remembering lots of my growing times in life, and what could teach him.  I thought about my sister and brother-in-law raisin' the little guy, and all the adventures entailing that.  Then my mind hit the pause button, I just sat in a state of gratitude, for being a part of a miracle.

A new life.  Babies are miracles.  They are new little people just starting out on their journey through life.  There is a chain reaction of happiness that always follows new born babies.  Tate is one of God's children, which he loves very much!

I was told not to long ago that "A parent is the highest calling anyone could have."  That's so true!  God is putting his trust in my sister and brother-in-law with one of His own.  To raise him up, help him through life, show him the way, and in the end return him home.

To end my slight bragging about my nephew (can't help it, I love the little guy!)  My mom sent me a letter, filling me in on all the details, and with pictures to hold.  My mom says in the letter "I still think he hears the angels, while he is sleeping.  He is fun to hold when he is awake, but there is something special about holding him while he is sleeping, I think it is the Angels."  I think angles do lead us into this life, and the life to come.  God has His angels all around us, His children, to love and protect us!  I can't wait to hold my nephew!  Shout out to my new nephew TateBabe,  I love you bud!