Jill's 3rd talk

I read the talk "A Time to Prepare" by Elder Ian S. Arden. Here are the points that stood out to me.
1. Set goals and learn how to master the techniques to achieve them. I think we all do well at setting goals and then lose sight of it because we haven't figured out a "game-plan" to achieve them.
2. Giving our time in the service of God is pleasing to God and that will draw us nearer to him. I know that if I spent more of my time serving others I would feel happier and more at peace.
3. Time is never for sale; time is a commodity that cannot, try as you may, be bought at any store for any price. Yet when time is wisely used, its value is immeasurable. I think it's important to pay attention to how we spend our time and remember that we won't get lost minutes back.
4. We are all indebted to God for the ability to use time to advantage, and he will require of us a strict account of its disposition. This part really struck me when it said we will have to give an account of our time. I'm pretty sure that a lot of my time has not been spent wisely.
5. We must be sure that being busy also equates being productive. As I've thought about that I keep thinking how often I say, "I'm so busy,' yet when someone asks me what I did today I usually say "Nothing!" Why is that?
6. How sad it would be if the phone and computer drowned out the simplicity of prayer to a loving Heavenly Father. Let us be as quick to kneel as we are to text.
7. To have the peace the Savior speaks of we must devote our time to the things that matter most, and the things of God matter most. As we dedicate our lives to keeping the commandments we will be blessed and have a great relationship with our Father in Heaven.
8. And lastly, he "invites us to identify the time-wasting distractions in our lives that may need to be figuratively ground into dust." I keep thinking of things that take me away from my callings, my church assignments, and my family and I have been trying to spend less time on those things that really won't matter next week.

Ronda's 2nd talk

Of course one of my talks is Forget Me Not by President Uchtdorf pg. 120
I used this one for my visiting teaching message this month but still wanted
to share a few quotes.
"If we spend our days waiting for fabulous roses, we could miss the beauty and
wonder of the tiny forget-me-nots that are all around us."
"the happiest people I know are not those who find their golden ticket;
they are those who, while in pursuit of worthy goals, discover and treasure
the beauty and sweetness of the everyday moments. They are the ones who,
thread by daily thread, weave a tapestry of gratitude and wonder throughout
their lives. These are they who are truly happy"
"please remember also to be compassionate and patient with yourself"
and my favorite:
"You are known and remembered by the most majestic, powerful, and glorious
Being in the universe! You are loved by the King of infinite space and everlasting
time! He who created and knows the stars knows you and your name-you are the
daughters of His kingdom."
I also used this one for FHE and bought candy bars and played the clip about
being happy now. It was a fun little object lesson for FHE.

Sally's Goal

So in following the rules and doing one of the 6 I decided to share a few thoughts that stood
out for me in my first talk.
The Privilege of Prayer by Elder J. Devn Cornish pg. 101

"I am led to believe that our Heavenly Father loves us so much that the
things that are important to us become important to Him, just because he
loves us"
"Please believe how very much your loving Heavenly Father wants to bless you.
But because He will not infringe upon our agency, we must ask for His help."
"The object of prayer is not to change the will of God, but to secure for ourselves
and for others blessings that God is already willing to grant, but that are made
conditional on our asking for them."
"It is contrary to the economy of heaven for the Lord to do for us
that which we can do for ourselves."
"The Lord is much more pleased with the person who prays and then goes
to work than with the person who only prays."
"Miracles are wrought through prayer"
I really enjoyed reading this talk and being reminded of the importance of praying and
how much our Father in Heaven loves us and is just waiting to bless us with miracles
in our lives.

november goal

Sorry I'm late in getting to this, I switched with Ron because he's busy killing critters right now.

So for November, I think most people (especially on facebook) associate it with gratitude, which makes sense! But since that is obvious I want to do a goal on something else.

We recently got the November Ensign with the General Conference Report. So in accordance with this scripture:
"And now, my sons [and daughters,] I would that ye should remember to search them diligently, that ye may profit thereby...." Mosiah 1:7


So here's the goal:
You need to read or listen to 4 talks given this last conference. They can be one you didn't originally hear or one that stood out to you when you heard it, or one that you now feel prompted to study, whatever, it doesn't matter. (You can use the talks that were given at the RS broadcast as well.)

You will then need to do at least one of the following options with each one:
-Discuss it with your spouse: what stood out to you, what did you learn from it, how will it better you and your family, what you will do to apply it, etc.
-Use it for an FHE lesson
-Write in your journal about why this talk pertains to you and how you will apply it
-Write a talk based on it (as if the bishop had asked you to speak and that was your topic)
-Share a portion or thought from it with your home/visiting teachees for your message this month
-Post on this blog a few thoughts or feelings about it

Since we are a week into November already, you may think 4 is too many, if you do, try to do this with at least 3 talks then, that's one each remaining week.

Finally, when you post your results, please share 1 or 2 quotes that you feel you really needed, something that helped you, or that spoke to you... you know something you'd cross-stitch and hang on the wall if we were still living in the 90's.

In summary:
1. read 3-4 talks
2. do one of the 6 options per talk
3. post a meaningful quote or two

Sure do love you all!

cook family october results

Jason did much better than me, but I feel pretty ok with my success too. I did miss a few days, but I read the majority of the days. This has been a habit I've always struggled with and I feel that I really have been making some progress making it a priority in my day. I'm really realizing just how much better my day goes when I make it a priority.