Drop the Fist, Change Your Focus, Experience the JOY!!

Make a fist ✊,now put it right in front of your face ​and focus on your fist so that is all you see. I was part of an audience a few days ago where Sister Ruth Renlund asked us to try this experiment with her. The experiment and the analogy were helpful! She explained that our fist might be the challenge or worry we have in our life at this moment. All we can see is that issue right there in front of us. But if we shift our focus to look up or even to shift our focus to the side, there is so much more we can see. Our focus shifts away from the mounting problem that is blocking our view. In this case Sister Renlund pointed out how focusing on the big problem in front of us takes away our joy, and quite often we can't experience or see anything else. Sharing the quote from President Russell M Nelson, she reminded us "the joy we feel has little to do with the circumstances of our lives and everything to do with the focus of our lives." Since then, I have thought about this analogy a lot. Doing so I recalled times when my focus was on the messes my children made, financial concerns, the stacks of dirty or clean laundry that wasn't getting put away, an annoying behavior of a loved one, someone else's bad decision, how I was hurt or offended, the long to-do lists, and more. Spending much of my time and thought energy focusing on the problem right in front of my face robbed me and others of a lot of joy. Instead of joy, there was frustration and anger, resentment, a lack of forgiveness, and many more negative feelings. All things that Satan would have me feel. I fell into his trap a lot and allowed him to steal a lot of my joy. I like the recent picture of President Nelson he posted on social media New Year’s Day. A reminder for me to look up. One of the scriptural phrases I read this past week really caught my attention too, (Moses 7:44) a reminder to "lift up your heart, and be glad; and look." Then Sister Renlund's example to shift the focus away from the fist, the mounting challenge staring me in the face. All of these have been teaching moments for me and a reminder to look up! I can look up and lift my heart to God in an act of trust even during the challenge(s) or all that is happening right in my path or view. To lift up and focus on Jesus Christ, not the world. I am learning that my focus really does matter. As I take quiet moments to connect with God at the beginning of each day, I know the "joy [I] feel has little to do with the circumstances of [my] li​fe​ and everything to do with the focus of [my] [life]." This song also does good to my soul in choosing JOY - "Choose Joy" by Scott Krippayne, part of the 2018 EFY Album.

A Rocky Summer

It has been a rocky summer; I can blame most of it on COVID-19.  Vacations for our family had to be changed and adjusted, in doing so we saw a lot of rocks.

July 10, 2020 was a date that happily took a few of my family members and I to Idaho for a wedding. We decided to make a road trip out of the occassion and stayed the night in a hotel (first time for us to do so during COVID). On our way we detoured to see the City of Rocks in Almo, Idaho. Impressive, large boulders that seemed to pop up just like a little city as we came around the corner and caught our first view. "Camp Rock" (not pictured) was one of our favorites.

"The City of Rocks National Reserve, also known as the Silent City of Rocks, is a United States National Reserve and state park lying 2 miles north of the south-central Idaho border with Utah. It is widely known for its excellent rock climbing and rock formations."

The following day, on our return from Idaho Falls, we drove to Craters of the Moon, the vast area was created by lava flows over time. 

"Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve is a U.S. national monument and national preserve in the Snake River Plain in central Idaho. It is along US 20, between the small towns of Arco and Carey, at an average elevation of 5,900 feet above sea level." 

Then on to see the Shoshone Falls in Twin Falls, where rocky canyons is the landscape for the sparkling waterfalls. The falls have been called the "Niagara of the West".

It was an enjoyable couple of days to escape home, get out and see new places. Every time I saw these rocks the scripture from Heleman 5:12 would enter my mind.

And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall.

Back in February, we planned a trip to Disneyland for August. There was a time we thought that might happen, but California Disney never opened up. Instead, we opted for a road trip to see something we have wanted to see but hadn't seen before - Mt. Rushmore. Originally our vacation week would have been during Sturgis, an annual motorcycle rally through the Black Hills. We adjusted the time of our arrival to South Dakota and went to Yellowstone first. There is so much to see in Yellowstone! Over 3,000 square miles of land! Clearly one cannot see it all in a day or two, and that is all we had. But the various landscapes, impressive geological sites, beauty of canyons, waterfalls, and lakes, and the occasional sighting of wildlife were all things to behold. We exited Yellowstone out of the east side and drove through the mountains and canyons on North Fork Highway. Such a beautiful drive to Cody, Wyoming. Again, recalling these words, "remember that it is upon the rock of [y]our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation;..." played through my mind.

In South Dakota we saw Mount Rushmore, which I loved seeing so much! It was remarkable. Such a special feeling there. I am grateful for the service, leadership, and dedication to our country of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln. The majestic carvings is a memorial to them. 

We drove through the 8-foot wide Needles Eye Tunnel, which is part of the Needles Highway drive filled with unusual and impressive rock formations in the Black Hills. The air was cool, and the rocks and landscape sights were too. 

One place I wished we could have visited longer was the Crazy Horse Memorial. It is a mountain monument under construction on private land in the Black Hills - not too far from Mount Rushmore. It depicts the Oglala Lakota warrior, Crazy Horse, riding a horse and pointing to his tribal land. Learning a little bit about its history and seeing the evening laser show was inspiring. I got to bring home a granite rock, from which this mountain monument is being carved out of. I hope to visit this memorial again in my lifetime. 

Every time I saw these impressive, massive, meaningful and beautiful rocks, the spirit would fill my mind with remembrances of and a connection to where my foundation lies. Additionally, I would be reminded of the children's Primary song about the wiseman building his house upon a rock. I am so grateful for my knowledge of Jesus Christ. He IS my Savior, Redeemer, and my firm foundation of faith. I can trust Jesus.

"He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock." (Luke 6:48)

The rocks would remind me of how beautiful the world is. Sometimes, within just a few miles, the landscapes and formations would quickly change. There is much variety and beauty in this world. I am so grateful for this beautiful world, created for me and you, by an all-knowing, and loving God. There is no denying His handiwork. "... yea, and all things denote there is a God; yea, even the earth, and call things that are upon the face of it, yea, and its motion, yea, and also all the planets which move in their regular form do witness that there is a Supreme Creator." (Alma 30:44)

Incidentally, we drove past Devil's Gate near Martin's Cove and Independence Rock on our return drive home. More rock formations to keep my mind remembering who my true rock is. AND, while on this trip, my son was with many of his friends on their own excursion at Island Park. While there, he gave his girlfriend a rock, a really special and expensive rock, and asked her to marry him. She said, yes! :)

Thank you COVID for making my summer so rocky. It has been a reminder of where my true foundation lies. Which is in the creator of all these great rocks! My Savior, Jesus Christ, is my rock, my sure foundation. 

Why is He my rock?  Because He is constant, true, and someone I can rely on always. Think about it, since the coronavirus (March for me), our lives changed and things around us started shutting down. Details about our way of living were changing hourly, daily, weekly, and monthly. God is not changing. "For he is the same yesterday, today, and forever", I can rely on Him!  People, places, and circumstances around me might change, but Jesus Christ will always be there and so will my Father in Heaven. I am the one that moves and chooses to distance myself from them, but like like the firm, strong, and steady rocks I've seen this summer, He will always be there. I know it. When the distance happens, God is still there. Always calling me to return, to come unto Him, partake of His gift of repentance, change my heart, and partake of the goodness, peace, light, and joy He offers. Oh, it is wonderful!

Thank you, Jesus, thank you Heavenly Father, and thank you to the Holy Ghost that communicates to me teachings, testifies of truth, and helps me see spiritual connections along my journey. 

As extra thoughts...

On the heels of our Yellowstone trip, the Music and Spoken word for Sunday, August 23,  showcased pictures from Yellowstone and the history of the National Parks. Would highly suggest taking a look, or at least fast forward to the speaking part. So cool!  August 23, 2020 - #4745 Music & the Spoken Word. https://www.thetabernaclechoir.org/videos/august-23-2020-4745-music-and-the-spoken-word/

Additionally, "How Firm a Foundation" (Hymn No. 85) supports many of my above thoughts. 

1. How firm a foundation, ye Saints of the Lord,

Is laid for your faith in his excellent word!

What more can he say than to you he hath said,

Who unto the Savior, who unto the Savior,

Who unto the Savior for refuge have fled?

2. In ev’ry condition—in sickness, in health,

In poverty’s vale or abounding in wealth

At home or abroad, on the land or the sea—

As thy days may demand, as thy days may demand,

As thy days may demand, so thy succor shall be.

3. Fear not, I am with thee; oh, be not dismayed,

For I am thy God and will still give thee aid.

I’ll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,

Upheld by my righteous, upheld by my righteous,

Upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand.

4. When through the deep waters I call thee to go,

The rivers of sorrow shall not thee o’erflow,

For I will be with thee, thy troubles to bless,

And sanctify to thee, and sanctify to thee,

And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.

5. When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie,

My grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply.

The flame shall not hurt thee; I only design

Thy dross to consume, thy dross to consume,

Thy dross to consume and thy gold to refine.

6. E’en down to old age, all my people shall prove

My sov’reign, eternal, unchangeable love;

And then, when gray hair shall their temples adorn,

Like lambs shall they still, like lambs shall they still,

Like lambs shall they still in my bosom be borne.

7. The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose

I will not, I cannot, desert to his foes;

That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,

I’ll never, no never, I’ll never, no never,

I’ll never, no never, no never forsake!

(Text: Attr. to Robert Keen, ca. 1787. Included in the first LDS hymnbook, 1835. Music: Attr. to J. Ellis, ca. 1889)

Today (Tuesday September 8) as I get ready to share this post, with walking up to hurricane-force winds at up to 95 mph, causing big damage in my yard with trees falling, I am reminded again of rocks. The rocks don't move in the fierecest of winds. They are strong, firm, and steady. So is Jesus. Life has always been a bit messy, but there is always a way through as I lean on my Savior. He IS my sure foundation!

A Letter to God and Cheerfully Doing

Dear God, 

Thank you for a good, and complete night's sleep. Thank you for this quiet moment now. Thank you for the spirit I felt yesterday watching a few movies about the Restoration, adding to my preparation for General Conference. Thank you for the video chat I had yesterday with my sisters, for another sister that reached out to me via text, and thank you that my parents drove up from Sandy to stand at the edge of our porch to welcome Andrew home from his mission and talk to us for a bit. Thank you for that. 

This self-isolation and safe distancing hasn't been too bad. Especially compared to the 5+ months Joseph, Hyrum and others endured with terrible circumstances at the Liberty Jail. How horrible! As I watched those movies yesterday I was quickly filled with gratitude once again for my little struggle. I am self isolating with my family around me, in the comforts of my own home, with plenty of things to do to keep me busy and happy, and being able to have much digital contact with others and even safe-distancing contact. There is plenty uplifting and encouraging material to read - Thy word. I can pretty much carry on with my life. I have windows to look out at and occasionally see neighbors and friends walk or drive by, I can step outside and enjoy fresh air, or go for a walk and be cheered up by the daffodils. I am warm. I have a comfortable home and bed. I have plenty of food and can go to the store or a restaurant to get more. I have a bathroom (with plenty of toilet paper), running water, and electricity. Thank you Lord! 

This pondering and writing of these blessings brought to my mind the thought to look up and read more about the Liberty Jail. Which then led me to read this moving and powerful message from Elder Holland, "Lessons from Liberty Jail". He gave this talk in 2008 to young adults. Wow! As in typical Elder Holland style, I read it while hearing his voice in my mind - delivered with passion and full of spirit. Reading these items just adds to my gratitude. I have been given insight, and hope, and it has caused some inner reflection on my own struggle at this time, which actually seems so minuscule - how can I even complain or murmur? Please forgive me. I have it so easy. I see an end in sight. I wonder how long it took Joseph and others to see an end to their cold, damp, stifling, hungry, uncomfortable condition. It lasted for months!  But you were with them. 

Needless to say, this morning I kind of feel things have come full circle a bit for me today in your messages back to me. The scripture message you gave me as an answer of guiding strength almost two weeks ago (March 22) was from D&C 123:17. What I heard you tell me:

"Therefore, dearly beloved [LuAnn],... cheerfully do all things that lie in [y]our power; and then may [you] stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed."

Those were reassuring words. The phrase that came to me with great force and increased my faith, was "with the utmost assurance". Filling me with such hope and firmness to that which I was praying for. This verse of scripture has been a guiding light and a strength for me in the days since as the spirit has brought to my mind this scripture in times in which I have needed it. Thank you!  Connecting this verse to me even more was to be reminded in my study this morning that this verse was actually spoken to Joseph Smith from Thee while he was in Liberty Jail. Wow! His suffering then has eased my struggle now. Not only did Joseph receive by revelation section 123, but also sections 121 and 122 of the Doctrine and Covenants. Who can doubt personal revelation? I can't and I won't. 

I am so blessed! I am grateful. I will remain faithful. I see your hand and notice Thy blessing and tender mercies to me and those I love in this crazy time of the corona virus pandemic. There are miracles in the mess!  I see you doing your work. Thank you God! I so look forward to what other messages you have for me as my family and I participate in General Conference. I am ready! 

Your beloved daughter,
LuAnn


A few more things to add to this experience that I want to remember. There are many scripture verses in the Bible, the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, that have verses about cheer. Doctrine and Covenants 61:36 and John 16:3 are good ones. Sister Franco wrote an Ensign article "Be of Good Cheer" (December 2019), which is inspiring and joyful. 

Back on March 19 (wow, that seems so long ago), I received an email from Hang a Ribbon on the Moon  about a free "Be of Good Cheer" banner printable.  It was so cute!  With events canceling, families staying home, home schooling beginning, people still hustling to find toilet paper, and a day after the earthquake, I knew I needed to print up and color this banner to hang in my home. It has been a cheery reminder to be happy and notice the blessings! We've been able to send pictures to a few family members hopefully increasing their cheer at this time. I wish I could make this banner up and give to everyone I know! 

Additionally, our neighborhood hosted a parade on Monday this week (March 30). We made posters to hang out the windows and decorate the cars. Driving past the homes of the recently returned missionaries, as well as nurses and police officers giving much to help others at this time, we honked, waved, and cheered. I thought it was so much fun! Guess what I had written on the back my van? Yep, "Be of good cheer!"

Speaking of Elder Holland, he shared current words of hope and direction just a few days ago. His words gave me peace - "Shelter in Place".

Finally, there has been a quote that has resurfaced and been going around the internet these few weeks by Fred Rogers which says, "When I was a boy I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, 'Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.'" I think this statement is so true. We have so many people helping at this time, giving of their safety and comfort to help others. But I would also like to suggest, look for God helping you. Notice the many ways God is helping you. Write them down (record) so you remember and your can rejoice now and later.  "...cheerfully do all things that lie in [y]our power; and then may [you] stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed." (D&C 123:17)