Seeking Happiness and Joy

I participated in the devotional tonight in my New Testament Institute class. I sang, "Close Enough to Touch" by Kenneth Cope and shared a little excerpt from a talk I gave over the summer. This woman, whose story is told briefly in Matthew, Mark, and Luke, had an issue of blood for 12 years. She had sought out numerous physicians and used all that she had to seek a cure. None had cured her; her condition was now worse. Her faith brought her to seek out Jesus. “For she said within herself, if I but touch his garment, I shall be whole.”( Matthew 9:21 ) She pressed her way through the crowd that was following Jesus to touch the hem of His garment. Elder Neuenschwander in his April 2008 General Conference address described this crowd. “I picture the crowd itself. It must have been fairly large, as people were pressing in on Jesus. It might have even been a noisy crowd, as people pushed and shoved trying to get a better look at Him. I wonder why they were there. Most, I think,...

I love to sing. It is one of my most favorite things in the world to do. However, it can also be the scariest thing for me to do. As mentioned in the previous post, I sang the musical number during a church meeting tonight. I was asked earlier today if I would do it. Since it was last minute, I opted to sing I Know That My Redeemer Lives , because I had sung it previously when my sister reported her full-time mission . As I was practicing with my accompanist before this meeting a couple months ago, I was ridiculously nervous. This was the largest crowd for which I had ever sung. As I was singing, I came to the line, "He lives to calm my troubled heart." I knew that was true. My Savior could bring peace to my soul. I said a silent prayer and asked for that blessing in my life. After that, I was able to sing freely. Tonight, as I directed the opening hymn, my voice began to shake. My throat began to close, and I couldn't even sing part of the final verse. I was...

I will be singing the musical number for a church meeting tonight. I have chosen to sing a hymn that truly reflects my testimony of Jesus Christ. Click on the link if you would like to hear the music for I Know That My Redeemer Lives . I know that my Redeemer lives. What comfort this sweet sentence gives! He lives, he lives who once was dead. He lives, my ever-living Head. He lives to bless me with his love. He lives to plead for me above He lives my hungry soul to feed. He lives to bless in time of need. He lives to grant me rich supply. He lives to guide me with his eye. He lives to comfort me when faint. He lives to hear my soul's complaint. He lives to silence all my fears. He lives to wipe away my tears. He lives to calm my troubled heart. He lives all blessings to impart. He lives, my kind, wise heav'nly Friend. He lives and loves me to the end. He lives, and while he lives, I'll sing. He lives, my Prophet, Priest, and King. He lives and grants me daily breath. He l...

I spoke in church today. My assigned topic was a talk given by Elder Dennis B. Neuenschwander in the April 2008 General Conference . I gave my talk immediately after singing "Close Enough to Touch" by Kenneth Cope. This woman, whose story is told briefly in Matthew, Mark, and Luke, had an issue of blood for 12 years. She had sought out numerous physicians and used all that she had to seek a cure. None had cured her; her condition was now worse. Her faith brought her to seek out Jesus. “For she said within herself, if I but touch his garment, I shall be whole.” 1 She pressed her way through the crowd that was following Jesus to touch the hem of His garment. Elder Neuenschwander in his recent conference talk described this crowd. “I picture the crowd itself. It must have been fairly large, as people were pressing in on Jesus. It might have even been a noisy crowd, as people pushed and shoved trying to get a better look at Him. I wonder why they were there. Most, I think, cam...

I am an organized person. I like to plan. I make lists. I like to strategize. I like things to be somewhat predictable. If something occurs that is beyond my control, yet I'm required to endure it, I get frustrated and sometimes even freak out. I grew up in Florida and the western desert. I haven't really encountered much snow. I was living in northern Utah a few years ago where snow is abundant. Learning to drive in the snow was not a delightful task. I had gone home for the weekend and was driving north on a Sunday morning to return to my apartment. I had left early in the morning, because I had an obligation to fulfill at church. It was late fall and the snow season hadn't started. At that time in my life, I was notorious for speeding on the freeway. As usual, I was going much faster than the speed limit. As I approached a small city, I was prompted to slow down. The Spirit whispered to my soul that something would happen very soon. I slowed down a little at...