Anything

Due to some recent events in my life, I have been forced to take a hard look at some of my own personal choices in how I am caring for myself, and in turn caring for those that are my responsibility. It has been eye-opening, to say the least. This morning, as I have spent a few minutes with God, the question came to mind... What are you willing to do to accomplish God's will for you here on earth, to fulfill your mission before you return Home? Without hesitation, I responded, "Anything."  I mean this. It is truth.  

Like most people I know, life has been a series of constant uphill battles that seem to be lost more than won. Choices that you felt good about turned into the hardest trials of your life, rest only coming for a single day. And just when you think things are finally settling down, as Life and her trials pop up again, forcing you to be on our toes and you grab your sword and shield and prepare for yet another fight. You are exhausted, yet somehow, like the warriors of old, you keep going.... because you are willing to do so.

Time after time on social media, I will see loved ones post "I'm Done" because they cannot find one more ounce of strength to face the monsters in front of them. How hard life must be in those moments! Certainly we have all come to that point where we just cannot seem to go on one more day. When one gets to that low point, where is it they are drawing strength from? Is it from Facebook? Twitter? NBC? How about... from God?! If we focus our energy and became consciously aware of our literal connection with God, as His children, stripping away the World's view of what we should do or who we should become, and redirecting our efforts on who He knows we already are, where would we be? The only thing we would be "done" with is the negativity, the criticism, the ideals that come from a darkness God never wants us to give into!! We would know that because of a loving Heavenly Father sacrificing His Son, who Atoned for us, that we can do hard things, and we will be able to keep going. 

The other day I read a quote that said something like: Life will always be an uphill battle for those who are doing right. Isn't that truth? My Friends, we are not here in this life to rest and have vacations everyday. We are here to work, to learn, to further our Divine knowledge and prove to our Father in Heaven that we will do all it takes to return to Him again in His time, when we have accomplished all He wants us to. I ask: What are you willing to do? Are you willing to care for your one and only body He gave you? To find a belief system that aligns with His? To serve only in ways that the Savior would do? Are you willing to fight for your family so your children may have the best education? Are you willing to be on the internet less so your little girl can read to you and know that her time with you is valued? Are you willing to say no to that second job because although it may mean a more humble home, it means more time with your family? Day by day, we will each have decisions to make. Day by day we can strip down the incorrect ideals that surround us and be the person God intended for us to be since we were born. What are you willing to do to accomplish those things? What are you willing to do to fulfill your purpose here on earth? 

Finding my purpose, 

Mama Dragon

Preparing for Heaven

Those that are closest to me know that I am the great-niece of a prominent leader in the religious organization I belong to. His sister was my grandmother. My grandfather (her husband) was my uncle's best friend.

For a while now, we have known my uncle has been ill- the whole world has known. It is only today that it has been made public knowledge that in the very near future, he will be returning to his Heavenly Home. Although our family has had time to prepare, seeing it in the news headlines makes it that much more difficult. 

How does one prepare for heaven? I believe it is by living your best life. In a letter I just sent to my cousin who is very close to our uncle, I shared these thoughts- 

"I just.. want to tell him how much I love him, how much he has impacted my life, and the life of my family, for good. I want to share how my eldest is in the process of filling out his mission papers and he will serve with honor! Part of that credit goes to the example of our uncle. There is just never enough time in this life, is there? Will he ever know how his Christ-like example has saved my family more than once? When Grandpa died, Uncle Tom became like a surrogate to me. Although our busy lives have not allowed for us to see each other often, he still has been a guiding force in my life. I love him as a grandfather and I will miss him as one. 

I think of the sweet reunion awaiting in heaven- of my grandparents and the other siblings, of his sweet Virginia and their daughter- of his parents, (my) Uncle Jerry, and (my) Aunt Mignon.... and I cannot grieve too long. I rejoice in the beauty and love that awaits him, and I only grieve for those of us left behind. I pray that his pain is lessened in his last days and that he may go in peace."

To the world, he is an apostle of God. To me, he is my beloved uncle as well. Either way, I am better for having him in my life. There is no man greater than one who serves the Lord willingly. This is my uncle. In serving the world, he has served God. In that, we can rejoice when he is called Home. 

Working towards Heaven-

Mama Dragon

Courtesy: lds.org