BofM365

I started the year out last year really wanting to read the Book of Mormon again cover to cover. It seemed like it didn't take too long before life got in the way, and inconsistency on my part led to a lack of seeing that goal come to fruition. I'm not going to beat myself up about it, I'm just going to try again this year, only with more of a plan. Justin told me the other day that he was following an account on Instagram called BofM365 that maps out all your reading for the year for you. All you have to do is the recommended reading assignment every day and by the end of the year you've read the whole Book of Mormon.

 I've also incorporated in my personal study this study guide that I bought last year, but didn't get too far into. I like having the reading assignments from BofM365 that are totally manageable, but then spending a few more minutes getting to digest what I'm reading about in the study guide is nice. It focused mostly on doodling and visuals, and while I'm not much of an artist, the doodling, drawing, or writing key phrases down is making the study a little more interesting.

I started putting the kids in bed at 7:30 the last few days, instead of 8:00 or 8:30, and telling them to spend 5-15 minutes on personal study by themselves and then they could read a book of their choosing. That carves out time for me, before I'm too cranky, to sit down and work on my own study without distraction, and then gives me a few minutes to catch up on here before I go tuck them in at 8:30. I know we are only three days into the new year, but I'm kind of liking our new routine! I'll try to make myself be accountable on here from time to time with how I'm doing. I really hope to stick to it this year though. Lauryn was saying last night that she didn't understand everything she was reading. I told her that was okay; that there were promised blessings just by doing her part and doing it. I know that's so true. The times in my life where I was consistently letting the scriptures be a part of my daily life, I felt those blessings come to fruition, in so many different ways. The power of the scriptures is real!

Asking Forgiveness

   Many times when I find myself in prayer, asking for forgiveness for the same offenses over and over, I want to shrink at my weakness, rather than bring them to the Lord...again. I was impatient. I was quick to anger. I wasn't soft-spoken. I was too opinionated. The list could go on.

    I am well aware that my road to perfection has a lot of speed bumps and pot holes. Sometimes the adversary can get in my ear and tell me to not bother to pray. That Heavenly Father is tired of the daily report of my imperfections. However, peace came to my heart as I read Helaman 3:27 where it said "Thus we see that the Lord is merciful unto all who will, in the sincerity of their hearts, call upon His holy name." 

    It's nice to be reminded that the Lord isn't merciful to just the star students of life who only have good reports. He is merciful to all, who in humility can bring their shortcomings to His feet, and offer them up, and ask for His help. It brings me peace to know that while I don't deserve it, Jesus Christ fills the gaps I create daily, through His atoning sacrifice. Their love for me, despite my unworthiness, makes me want to keep picking myself up and trying, knowing Their mercy is there to help me through each day. It is my prayer that as I continue to bring my flawed self to Their feet, that eventually my actions will become a truer reflection of my love for them.