Intentionally Partake

Plan ahead to arrive
Early to prepare
To partake anew
Reverently, with care

I'm working on my masters in early childhood and there is a lot of talk about intentional teaching by lesson planning.  I am always on time to hear announcements and sing the opening, but most often I haven't said my morning prayers.  Sigh.  I think that is where it all starts. 

To This End

He gave His life is service
And He did so out of love
To this end was His purpose
Selflessly for God above

https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2012-06-1360-to-this-end-was-i-born?lang=eng

The Savior Suffers in Gethsemane

He felt us all,

And all at once
This was His call
He knows our wants.

As Part of a Whole

To the core, each soul

Is a part of a whole
Of our Heavenly Father

Each a son or a daughter

We Are Daughters of Our Heavenly Father

"As daughters of God we are each unique and different in our circumstances and experiences. And yet our part matters—because we matter."

—Elaine S. Dalton, "We Are Daughters of Our Heavenly Father", Liahona, May 2013

We Are as One

We as one, are called to the work

We've souls to save. Let no one shirk

Till the harvest comes unto an end

And our Savior returns again

We Are One
"The Lord made it clear at the very start of this last dispensation that we were to take the gospel to all the world. What He said to the few priesthood holders in 1831 He says to the many now. Whatever our age, capacity, Church calling, or location, we are as one called to the work to help Him in His harvest of souls until He comes again."

Henry B. Eyring, "We Are One"

Light

Light seemed to shine
From inside the lid
Treasure to find
The scriptures, it hid

I love my scriptures. I live to read them by flashlight with my old achy feet in the pool, before I go to bed. Tonight I wrapped myself in a blanket to go out. I loved it. I wonder if I can endure through winter?

Step 8: Forgiveness - Larry’s Story about Drug Addiction Recovery

When you hold a deep grudge
You are poisoning yourself
My anger so fueled by drugs
Only forgiveness was my help

Step 12: Service - Erik’s Story about Drug Addiction Recovery

Within seconds, I was on the floor
It was an overdose!
I didn't want to live anymore
I landed flat on my nose
Shattered and in need of repair
I went to 12 step in spite of my face
Line upon line I came unto care
And my life started to fall into place
Because of what I now know
I return to recover every week
And in new ways, I still grow
To become strong, where I was weak

Step 11: Personal Revelation - Lindsay’s Story about Heroin Addiction Re...

I was resigned to the fact
That I was a junky
I couldn't put on an act
So, I pushed by kids from me
I lived inside my car
And did anything and everything I could
To drift high away far
Then the police..yes, this was good
For heroine is a demon
That you cannot sedate
The detox was mean then
But I had been saved from fate
Thoughts of my childhood
And songs came flooding back
Prayer, I'd not thought that I could!
In hope, I started to bask
Revelation came about
I wanted to do the Lord's will
Now I seek power to carry this out
As I share with Him how I feel


Prayer is now my lifeline

This is why I exist

I pray all of the time

This is how I persist

Step 10: Daily Accountability - Adrienne’s Story about Cocaine Addiction...

I daily take inventory
Of the way, I feel inside
I am a success story
When my true self, I don't hide

Step 9: Restitution and Reconciliation - John’s Story on Drug Addiction ...

I had led a double life

Now exposed, could I explain?
I lost my job and my wife
I "used" more to numb the pain
I did anything to get high
A prostitute worked with me
I kissed my future goodbye
Inside I was empty
Out of control, it was a relief
When I was placed in jail
I sought those whom I'd caused grief
To make amends where I'd failed
Oh, the damage I had done!
Trust was just not there
For years I was shunned
I petitioned Father's care
A new life was given to me
And my prayers were answered one day
When for the first time I could see
My grandchildren at play

Step 7: Humility - Holly’s Story about Drug Addiction Recovery

I threw my life away
And hid so none could see
I tried to end it one day
But suicide failed me
After detox, I sought
A safe place in which to cleanse
All my character flaws
That founded my addictive sins
I prayed to Heavenly Father
And I felt wrapped in His arms
From this, I was able to gather
Grace to stay safe from harm
I knew I'd shortcomings
And I would struggle each day
But, I knew that everything
Too, was going to be o.k.

Step 5: Confession - Jessica’s Story about Food Addiction Recovery

Secrets pain the soul
You can't stuff them inside
The Lord loves you so
Trust in Him and confide

Step 4: Truth - Austin’s Story about Addiction Recovery

Ashamed, I chose to drink
Always, I was on the run
And I just didn't think
That it would hurt anyone
I tried to quit on my own
Then I sought the Bishop's hand
I found I wasn't alone
Now my life's something grand

Step 3: Trust in God - Sharon’s Story about Crystal Meth Addiction Recovery

I'd rather be dead than fat
I thought some meth would help
But the trouble was that
I was lost in living hell
I tried to overdose
So sick of the "chase"
There was so much to lose
I tried church, just in case
I learned to trust in God
And surrender my will
I found happiness again
From my past, I did heal

Step 2: Hope - Preston’s Story about Drug Addiction Recovery

Fallen and at the end of my rope
I prayed to know if there was hope
I was wrapped in love and lifted in peace
God would help my addictions to cease!

Step 1: Honesty - David’s Story about Sex Addiction Recovery

I ran my life into the ground
Because I couldn't stop
The only way out, I found
Was to let walls of lies drop


Step 1

He Knows

He knows my desires
And all that I need
All that He requires
Is that I let Him lead

Recognizing God's higher power can give you strength;

Step 6: Change of Heart - Aram’s Story about Drug Addiction Recovery

It was that last straw
Somehow I had missed
I knelt and asked God
"Will you take this?"

Colors, colors - ¡Colores, colores! - Spanish Songs for Kids

Creatively, give a name

To each role that do

Make it a colorful game

And sing of them too

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DsRKoZGaoEM&index=4&list=PLJuf9HnxGVrwqds69uP2KmxYkAfwg0n8t

SPANISH Colors for KiDs - De Todos Colores

Wholly, immerse yourself

Reflect and absorb light

Joy is universal

Be colorful and bright

Go For It!

With a forward thrust

Journey anew

Be true to the trust

Vested in you

Go For It! "As we journey through mortality, let us remember from whence we came; let us be true to the trust vested in us. Let us remember who we are and what God expects us to become."


—Thomas S. Monson, "Go For It!"

A Bridge to Heaven

Prayer is not a crutch
To get you through "that" day
Nor is it a crush
Till you find another way
What prayer is is a bridge
That warms your heart just so
It reaches heaven's edge
And lights your mind and soul

Wading in Search of Light

Keep on wading
In truth and light
Pray, unfailing
To know what is right

Eternal Progression

All your grievances and sins, put them away

Let your heart glow in love's expression
A testimony is not just for today
But for your eternal progression

“We are not perfect. The people around us are not perfect. People do things that annoy, disappoint, and anger. In this mortal life it will always be that way.
“Nevertheless, we must let go of our grievances. Part of the purpose of mortality is to learn how to let go of such things. That is the Lord’s way.
“Remember, heaven is filled with those who have this in common: They are forgiven. And they forgive.
“Lay your burden at the Savior’s feet. Let go of judgement. Allow Christ’s Atonement to change and heal your heart. Love one another. Forgive one another. The merciful will obtain mercy.”  

 https://www.lds.org/church/news/2012-general-conference/sunday-morning?lang=eng

President Uchtdorf April 2012

Pure Intelligence

Pure intelligence
Those sudden strokes of ideas
Come through diligence
When we're humble, there, light is

What If You've Hit a Learning Plateau?

Through eyes to see and ears to hear,

curiosity is won.

The Holy Ghost brings wisdom near,

once wonderous searching has begun.

Is There a Limit to Our Potential?

We've each the capacity

to be a noble and great one.

What's required? Humility

That we heed the voice of the Son.

Abraham 3:22 Now the Lord had shown unto me, Abraham, the intelligences that were organized before the world was; and among all these there were many of the noble and great ones;
Deuteronomy 28:1 And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the Lord thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth:

Understand the Doctrine of Marriage

In the broader context, marriage can be seen
Through the sure lens of God's plan
When sealed to the Savior, we join His team
For the salvation of man

Know What's Happening in the World

Be an agent who acts
And read up on the facts
Discern what is going on
Be part of the good not wrong

Life Gets Messy

Life gets messy
As we move along
Keep on pressing
Seek help to be strong!