The Museum of Clean

Have you been here? To the Museum of Clean?  

It's a unique museum dedicated to clean. 

​The museum ​is impressive, ​with a massive collection of brooms, vacuums, window washing tools, and so much more​. The museum can be reflective​ and memorable. Which was my experience as I saw items I remember having in my own home growing up.

 

  

 

Don Aslett, pro-cleaner, the real Mr. Clean, has an incredible museum of all things clean in Pocatello, Idaho. Lance and I visited the museum February 2020, just before the COVID shut down.

The museum advertises "leave inspired", and I did. 

One of the things that really impressed me about the Museum of Clean was not only the value of keeping things clean around us and the many tools available to do so, but I left feeling a renewed importance of keeping my spirit and soul clean. 

A few months following my Museum of Clean experience, and when​ you and I and the rest of the world were more vigilant in keeping our hands clean, sanitizing countertops and work spaces (remember that? Covid-19?), the thought of "clean" connected better in my mind. Such words as "clean, cleanse, unclean, filthy, sanctify, spotless, wash..." seemed to jump out to me while reading the scriptures and ​studying General Conference talks. So much so that I felt nudged to begin marking these words with a light blue box around them. (​The light blue color best represent​s clean, clear water; purity.) 

The result has been revelatory! It's been amazing for me to notice and better understand how important "clean" is to God. Such as in ​last week's Come, Follow Me reading from 2 Nephi 9. ​Like words even showed up in this week's Book of Mormon reading too. I'm noticing these words are everywhere and words are powerful. 

Because of God’s great plan and the Atonement of Jesus Christ - Jesus Christ's mercy and amazing grace - we can be cleansed by the process of repentance. We humbly get to come unto Jesus Christ and give Him our uncleanness and filth, if we choose. He will help us as we desire to make ourselves clean and will purify us. His gift of repentance is amazing! Jesus is a master cleaner and purifier! "I cherish the gift of repentance and seek to improve each day." 🩷💕  (please see note below with additional quote)

The ultimate mission and vision of the Museum of Clean is to sell the idea and value of clean, to put clean into the minds of all who visit. Indeed it did for me. 

--------

Pro tip, if you go to the museum on a Monday, it is NOT open. A few of my family members will completely understand.   😜

Speaking of clean, check out @sarah_cleans, my niece's new IG account, for cleaning tips. 

#museumofclean
#donaslett
#cleanhandspureheart
​#repentance

🩷💕 I found this quote after the fact. It spoke to my heart. Because it connects so well with what is in my mind and heart, the rejoicing I feel because of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ - their plan and mercy. While rejoicing, I also want to record this so I remember.

"The gift of repentance is an expression of God’s kindness toward His children, and it is a demonstration of His incomparable power to help us overcome the sins we commit. It is also an evidence of the patience and long-suffering our loving Father has for our mortal weakness and frailties. President Russell M. Nelson, our beloved prophet, referred to this gift as “the key to happiness and peace of mind.”

My dear friends, I testify to you that as we genuinely repent of our sins, we allow the atoning sacrifice of Christ to become wholly effective in our life. We will become free from the bondage of sin, find joy in our earthly journey, and become eligible to receive eternal salvation, which was prepared from the foundation of the world for all who believe in Jesus Christ and come unto Him."  "Jesus Christ: The Caregiver of Our Soul", by Elder Ulisses Soares,

I feel the "clean" in Elder Soares words and it sounds refreshing and good. Years ago, I experienced this clean feeling walking out of a bishop's office. This "happiness and peace of mind" I experienced and it felt amazing! As I use the gift of repentance daily and seek to improve, it is a good feeling. What a gift! 

He is the Gift!

He is the gift! 

 

The Babe born in a manger is the child we celebrate, whose birthday we recognize. This precious baby grew, lived a perfect life, and through His great loving sacrifice is now our King, our Savior, the one who has redeemed us all. He is the gift! 

A friend of mine shared a story about another mother whose teenage son got himself into a difficult circumstance with his girlfriend. Instead of responding out of fear or anger, or with additional shame, she lovingly explained that now it was his turn to use the gift. The gift that only Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world can provide. The gift of his Atonement. Which offers forgiveness, hope, support, strength, mercy, love, and so much more. We will all fall short, all make mistakes, do things we wish we hadn't done, say things we would like to take back, and need help beyond our own to get through the day and even this life. An all knowing, loving Father in Heaven knew that so He gave us the gift. The gift of His son. "God be thanked for the matchless gift of His Son."

I do not see Jesus Christ with my physical eyes, but I know He is there. Figuratively, He stands at the door daily waiting for me to choose to let Him in and connect with Him. Jesus Christ desires to help carry burdens and lighten heavy loads. He desires to extend His mercy and provide miracles in our lives. He desires to give us peace and help us find and feel joy even when our circumstances aren't great. He is the gift. He freely offers His gift. Ours is to humbly desire and accept the gift. 

I have heard another friend explain that in a world where there is an app for this, and app for that; an app for almost everything. There's also an atonement for this and that. Isn't it amazing!?!  Because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ He can deliver us, succor us, lift us, strengthen us and more because He felt it. Jesus Christ has already and willingly atoned for it all - sufferings, sadness, sorrow, pain, our anxieties, burdens and more. So,yes, whatever you might be challenged with right now, there is an Atonement for that. What a gift!

May we enjoy ALL the gifts given this Christmas season and everyday. Merry Christmas! 

Photo credit: The Nativity, by N. C. Wyeth, featured in this week's Come Follow Me lesson - "Christmas Lesson"

You might enjoy this song too! "He is the Gift" by Shawna Edwards

https://youtu.be/FZ4JA3YZCj0

AND, this amazing article of truth - 5 Ways the Savior Delivers You.  5 Ways the Savior Delivers You. 

He is the gift! Merry Christtmas!

Happy Easter!

A few weeks ago, I listened to someone share and show a Christus statue to a group of young children. It was a statue of the resurrected Savior with His arms outstretched. At that moment I was filled with thoughts that Christ's arms are extended to all. He invites all of us to come to Him, and then follow Him. "His way is the path that leads to happiness in this life and eternal life in the world to come". It doesn't matter where we are in our life, what we have done or how worthy or unworthy we might feel. And we don't have to "fix" ourselves before coming to Him either. Because if we trust Him and let Him, He will do the fixing. Those arms are always extended, extending and inviting when we are ready. Jesus Christ desires us to come to Him, but He will not force. Figuratively, He does stand at the other side of the door waiting for us to open it up and let Him in (Revelations 3:20). To let Him into our lives with all our problems, challenges, heartaches, and more.

What does that "coming to Him" look like? It'll be different for each of us, but also the same. The condition of our heart and our desire matters. He will want our time, not a lot of it but a consistent effort to hang out with Him. It might look like reaching up to Him in humility in a heart-felt, pleading prayer. But also, with prayers of gratitude, a noticing of the good things He has already done for us. It looks like reading His words in the scriptures and hearing His words from His leaders and prophets. Being intentional about and wanting to hear Him. Being intentional about opening that door every day and letting Him in. Coming to Him looks like hearkening to His word and doing those things He inspires us to do. Trusting Him by putting aside our will and getting up and following Him to do His will. 

Just like the image I chose for this post; can't you just envision following Him and His footsteps?  His invitation to the rich, young ruler is the same for each of us - "come, follow me" (Luke 18:22). As we lay aside some of our desires and trust the Savior and follow Him, we can each know that Jesus Christ lives; He is calling out to us, and He is offering each of us a better way to live, to have His peace, and experience true joy. 

"When the Savior atoned for all mankind, He opened a way that those who follow Him can have access to His healing, strengthening, and redeeming power. These spiritual privileges are available to all who seek to hear Him and follow Him." Those are words from President Russell M. Nelson, just a few weeks ago in his message "The Power of Spiritual Momentum".

 
Jesus died for my sins.
Jesus suffered in Gethsemane and died on the cross for me.
Jesus Christ is my God and my Savior.
Jesus is my friend.
It is by His name I want to be known.

My joy is found in Jesus.

I know He lives! 

Have a Happy Easter!

#BecauseofHim